--- title: "Best Softphone Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing" description: "Find the best VoIP Softphones Software for your organization. Compare top VoIP Softphones Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos." source_url: "https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/best-softphones-comparison/" page_type: "subcategory" language: "en" --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Softphone Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Softphone Software of 2026 Updated November 3, 2026 On this page 1. FrontRunners 2. Popular Comparisons 3. Buyers Guide 4. Related Software Filter products 84 results ### Compare Products Showing 1 - 25 of 84 products #### Company Size - Self-Employed - 2-10 - 11-50 - 51-200 - 201-500 - 501-1000 - 1000+ #### Pricing Options - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ ### Compare Products Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. ### [Ultatel Cloud Business Phone System](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 41 - Starting price: $18.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview ULTATEL enables people to work together and get the information they need to do their best work, anywhere they are. Our cloud platform brings together phone, video, messaging, [Read more](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Transcription: 5/5 - Activity Dashboard: 5/5 - Call Conferencing: 5/5 - Two-Way Audio & Video: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Collaboration Tools: 3/5 - Communication Management: 3/5 - Online Voice Transmission: 3.4/5 [See all features](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Essential - Price: $18.00/month - Ideal for: Teams & businesses needing reliable, high-quality calling with core AI insights like ##### Premium - Price: $24.00/month - Ideal for: Businesses seeking robust collaboration tools, deeper call intelligence through a broader ##### Ultimate - Price: $34.00/month - Ideal for: Organizations requiring the most advanced AI capabilities for comprehensive [See full pricing details](/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Ringover](/voip/ringover-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 893 - Starting price: $29.00/month - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Ringover is the no.1 business phone system that gives you unlimited calls to 110 countries, video conferencing, SMS and group messaging, call recording, call whispering and more [Read more](/voip/ringover-profile/) ##### What users love - Comprehensive call tracking features - Intuitive and user-friendly interface - Responsive and helpful support team ##### To take in mind - Inconsistent audio and device issues - Occasional lag and slow response - Frequent connectivity interruptions #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Scheduling: 5/5 - Contact Database: 5/5 - CRM: 5/5 - Electronic Signature: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Monitoring: 2.8/5 - Call Tagging: 3/5 [See all features](/voip/ringover-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Smart - Price: $29.00/month - This plan provides all-in-one calls, video & chat. ##### Power - Price: $54.00/month - This plan offers analytics, productivity and integrations. ##### Advanced - Price: $64.00/month [See full pricing details](/voip/ringover-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [CTM](/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 159 - Starting price: $79.00/month - Best for: Features - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview CTM is a conversation analytics software designed to provide tracking and insights for sales and marketing teams. It helps organizations analyze campaign performance and customer [Read more](/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Tagging: 5/5 - Campaign Scheduling: 5/5 - Performance Management: 5/5 - Data Security: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Multi-Touch Attribution: 2.8/5 - Call Scripting: 3/5 - File Transfer: 3/5 [See all features](/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Global Call Forwarding](/voip/global-call-forwarding-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 54 - Starting price: $7.95/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Global Call Forwarding is a provider of toll-free, international, and local phone numbers. Buy virtual phone numbers from more than 160 countries globally. Forward incoming calls [Read more](/voip/global-call-forwarding-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - CRM: 5/5 - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 - Contact Management: 5/5 - Call Tracking: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Contact Database: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/global-call-forwarding-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $7.95/month [See full pricing details](/voip/global-call-forwarding-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [OnSIP](/voip/onsip-hosted-voip-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 78 - Starting price: $18.95/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview OnSIP Hosted OnSIP Hosted VoIP by Junction Networks is a cloud-based phone solution that offers businesses across various industry verticals PBX feature such as auto attendants and [Read more](/voip/onsip-hosted-voip-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Contact Database: 5/5 - Call Logging: 5/5 - Queue Management: 5/5 - Online Voice Transmission: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/onsip-hosted-voip-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $49.95/month - Built for users with a lower call volume ##### Unlimited - Price: $18.95/month - All-in-one business phone system with free desk phones [See full pricing details](/voip/onsip-hosted-voip-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [AVOXI](/voip/avoxi-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.8/5 - Reviews: 59 - Starting price: $0.00 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview AVOXI is a global communications provider specializing in cloud-based contact center and virtual number solutions. Their platform is designed to enhance customer engagement and [Read more](/voip/avoxi-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Role-Based Permissions: 5/5 - Real-Time Reporting: 5/5 - Mobile Access: 5/5 - Call Reporting: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/avoxi-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Launch - Price: $0.00 - This is a free plan that starts at $0. ##### Contact - Price: $19.99 - Advanced analytic plan that starts at $19.99 per user. ##### Engaged Enterprise - Price: $39.99 - Management plan that starts at $39.99 per user. [See full pricing details](/voip/avoxi-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [VirtualPBX](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 38 - Starting price: $15.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview VirtualPBX gives you a complete business phone system for $15/user/month with every feature already included. No confusing plans. No feature gates. No surprises. Just smarter voice [Read more](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Online Voice Transmission: 5/5 - Sentiment Analysis: 5/5 - Interaction Tracking: 5/5 - Softphone: 5/5 [See all features](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Smarter Voice - Price: $15.00/month [See full pricing details](/digital-workplace/virtualpbx-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Unitel Voice](/voip/unitel-voice-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 70 - Starting price: $9.99/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Unitel Voice is the business builder's phone system. It lets you run your business from anywhere using any device. Easy to set up and use. Backed by amazing customer support that [Read more](/voip/unitel-voice-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Video Conferencing: 5/5 - Call Conferencing: 5/5 - PBX: 5/5 - Virtual Call Center: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - SMS Messaging: 3.8/5 - Fax Management: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/unitel-voice-profile/#key-features) --- ### [TalkChief](/call-center/talkchief-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 18 - Starting price: $8.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview TalkChief isn't just a business phone system; it's your partner in enhancing communication for call centers, startups, enterprises, and nonprofits. Designed to simplify [Read more](/call-center/talkchief-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Softphone: 5/5 - Call Conferencing: 5/5 - Employee Activity Monitoring: 5/5 - Multi-Channel Management: 5/5 [See all features](/call-center/talkchief-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Essential - Price: $8.00/month - All what your startup need to start making calls ##### Growth - Price: $13.00/month - A flexible voice solution that fits modern business needs ##### Professional - Price: $17.00 - Advanced solution to boost productivity and performance [See full pricing details](/call-center/talkchief-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Zoom Phone](/voip/zoom-phone-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 246 - Starting price: $10.00/month - Best for: Video Conferencing - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Zoom Phone is a VoIP solution designed to help businesses in education, finance, healthcare and government sectors connect and communicate with team members on a unified interface. [Read more](/voip/zoom-phone-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - PBX: 5/5 - Computer Telephony Integration: 5/5 - Virtual Call Center: 4.8/5 - Conferencing: 4.8/5 ##### Worst rated features - Contact Management: 2.8/5 - Multi-Channel Communication: 3/5 - SIP Trunking: 3.6/5 - IVR: 3.7/5 [See all features](/voip/zoom-phone-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### US and Canada Metered - Price: $10.00/month - Pay as you go. ##### US and Canada Unlimited - Price: $15.00/month - Unlimited regional calling. ##### Global Select - Price: $20.00/month - Choose from 40+ countries and territory. [See full pricing details](/voip/zoom-phone-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Cloud Softphone](/voip/acrobits-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 10 - Starting price: $69.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Acrobits is a cloud-based softphone solution, which helps small to large businesses configure, develop and deploy communications applications in real time. Key features include QR [Read more](/voip/acrobits-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - File Sharing: 5/5 - Call Monitoring: 5/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 5/5 - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Chat/Messaging: 4/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 4/5 [See all features](/voip/acrobits-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Generic Full Featre App - Price: $69.00/month - Non-branded softphone app with incoming and outgoing calls. This is the option for those wanting to ##### White Label Softphone - Price: $549.00/month - Create your own fully branded VoIP app and release it to your customers under your company name! ##### Generic App for Outgoing Only - Price: $144.00/month - Non-branded softphone app only for making calls. With this option, you get an app for a flat fee, [See full pricing details](/voip/acrobits-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [UniVoIP](/voip/officeconnect-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 20 - Starting price: $7.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Cloud Voice for Microsoft Teams from UniVoIP Why Use Microsoft Teams as a Phone System? ● You already have M365, so maximize your existing Microsoft investment - and cut costs [Read more](/voip/officeconnect-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Computer Telephony Integration: 5/5 - Automatic Call Distribution: 5/5 - Call Logging: 5/5 - VoIP Connection: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/officeconnect-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $7.00/month [See full pricing details](/voip/officeconnect-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Vodia PBX](/call-center/vodia-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 16 - Starting price: $145.00/year - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Vodia PBX is a hybrid VoIP PBX solution that caters to businesses in industries like healthcare, education, call centers and hospitality. It helps them to manage communications [Read more](/call-center/vodia-profile/) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $145.00/year [See full pricing details](/call-center/vodia-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Tragofone](/voip/tragofone-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 6 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Tragofone stands at the forefront of modern communication solutions, offering a highly adaptable VoIP softphone application designed specifically for enterprises seeking efficient, [Read more](/voip/tragofone-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Mobile Access: 5/5 - Voice Mail: 5/5 - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Video Conferencing: 2/5 - Real-Time Reporting: 3/5 - Call Center Integration: 3/5 [See all features](/voip/tragofone-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request - Enjoy enterprise-grade security, seamless connectivity, and advanced features at affordable prices. [See full pricing details](/voip/tragofone-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Telzio](/call-center/telzio-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 35 - Starting price: $50.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Telzio is a cloud communications provider that offers small business phone system. It includes trunking that allows professionals to connect calls with the phone network so [Read more](/call-center/telzio-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Conferencing: 5/5 - Call Screening: 5/5 - Interaction Tracking: 5/5 - Call Queues: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - SMS Messaging: 2/5 - Call Reporting: 3/5 - Third-Party Integrations: 4/5 - Real-Time Reporting: 4/5 [See all features](/call-center/telzio-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $50.00/month [See full pricing details](/call-center/telzio-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [RingRx](/product/450761-RingRx/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 1 - Starting price: $15.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview RingRx is a phone system designed for modern healthcare providers. It supports healthcare professionals with HIPAA-compliant voice, text, fax, and video communication software. The [Read more](/product/450761-RingRx/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Messaging: 5/5 - Patient Engagement: 5/5 [See all features](/product/450761-RingRx/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### RingRx Lite - Price: $15.00/month - A complete business phone system for any sized practice. ##### RingRx Grow - Price: $19.00/month - Business-class phone, fax, and text built to streamline your practice operations and remove ##### RingRx Clinic - Price: $25.00/month - Enterprise-class communication solution built to support the growing needs of established practices [See full pricing details](/product/450761-RingRx/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [metricVOICE](/voip/metricvoice-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 1 - Starting price: $15.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Cloud Hosted Phone, VoIP & UCaaS- metricVOICE by Fastmetrics. Smarter communications from $15 per month. Connect how you work, where you work. Secure single sign-on for calls, [Read more](/voip/metricvoice-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Alerts/Notifications: 5/5 - Call Routing: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/metricvoice-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Essentials - Price: $15.00/month - Business VoIP & UCaaS ##### Growth - Price: $25.00/month - Essentials + SMS / MMS, online faxing, call recording & reporting ##### Enterprise - Price: $39.00/month - Growth + advanced features, integrations & analytics. Priority support [See full pricing details](/voip/metricvoice-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [PiPcall](/voip/pipcall-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.4/5 - Reviews: 12 - Starting price: £15.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview PiPcall Mobile+ is a business phone system for field, frontline and deskless workforces. Unlike VoIP phone systems, which carry calls over WiFi or mobile data, Mobile+ carries [Read more](/voip/pipcall-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Voice Mail: 5/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 5/5 - Online Voice Transmission: 5/5 - Caller ID: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/pipcall-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Mobile+ - Price: £15.00/month [See full pricing details](/voip/pipcall-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [GoTo Connect](/product/2766-GoTo-Connect/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 671 - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview GoTo Connect is the all-in-one phone, meeting and messaging software built for SMBs. It boasts an enterprise-class phone system with 100+ features with inclusive minutes for local, [Read more](/product/2766-GoTo-Connect/) ##### What users love - Responsive and knowledgeable support team - Flexible and mobile phone system - Cost-effective communication solution ##### To take in mind - Unreliable call handling features - Clunky and unintuitive user interface - Confusing and inconsistent billing practices #### Features ##### Best rated features - Real-Time Reporting: 5/5 - Softphone: 5/5 - Virtual Call Center: 5/5 - Audio/Video Recording: 5/5 [See all features](/product/2766-GoTo-Connect/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Phone System - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request ##### Customer Engagement - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request ##### Complete CX - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/product/2766-GoTo-Connect/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [CloudTalk](/voip/cloudtalk-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.4/5 - Reviews: 271 - Starting price: $19.00/month - Best for: Value for money - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview CloudTalk is an AI-powered, cloud-based call center solution designed for modern sales and customer support teams. It simplifies both inbound and outbound communication by bringing [Read more](/voip/cloudtalk-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Conversion Tracking: 5/5 - Unified Communications: 5/5 - Automated Routing: 5/5 - Reporting & Statistics: 5/5 [See all features](/voip/cloudtalk-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Lite - Price: $19.00/month ##### Essential - Price: $29.00/month ##### Expert - Price: $49.00/month - Get this plan at 50$/month with annual subscription. [See full pricing details](/voip/cloudtalk-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Revenue.io](/transcription/ringdna-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 18 - Starting price: $95.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Revenue.io is a VoIP solution that helps sales teams by providing voice communication and an automated dialer. It is a cloud-based platform that bridges the gap between [Read more](/transcription/ringdna-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Tagging: 5/5 - Collaboration Tools: 5/5 - Content Management: 5/5 - Video Chat: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Communication Management: 1/5 - For Sales Teams/Organizations: 3/5 - Performance Management: 3/5 - Campaign Management: 3.5/5 [See all features](/transcription/ringdna-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $95.00/month [See full pricing details](/transcription/ringdna-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Zoiper](/voip/zoiper-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 114 - Starting price: €49.95one time - Best for: Ease of use - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Zoiper is an on-premise and cloud-based softphone solution that caters to service providers, call centers, VoIP integrators, mobile operators and businesses that require softphones [Read more](/voip/zoiper-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Customizable Branding: 5/5 - Data Import/Export: 5/5 - Call Center Management: 5/5 - Multi-Channel Communication: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Chat/Messaging: 1.8/5 - Reporting & Statistics: 2.7/5 - Voice Mail: 3/5 - Conferencing: 3/5 [See all features](/voip/zoiper-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Zoiper 5 Pro - Price: €49.95one time - There are no VAT charges on the software. 1-99 licenses costs € 49.95 and more than 99 licenses need [See full pricing details](/voip/zoiper-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Ring4](/voip/ring4-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.1/5 - Reviews: 18 - Starting price: $9.99/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Available #### Overview Ring4 is a cloud-based telephony solution that helps small to midsize businesses create virtual sim cards, international or local corporate phone numbers and personal lines. Key [Read more](/voip/ring4-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Recording: 4/5 - Call Transfer: 4/5 - Voice Mail: 4/5 - Caller ID: 4/5 ##### Worst rated features - Call Routing: 1/5 - Video Conferencing: 1/5 - Call Monitoring: 1/5 - Contact Management: 1/5 [See all features](/voip/ring4-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### For Teams - Price: $9.99/month - The plan costs $8 /user /month when paid annually. It offers a 7-day free trial as well. ##### For Individuals - Price: $9.99/month [See full pricing details](/voip/ring4-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Linphone](/voip/linphone-profile/) - Overall rating: 4/5 - Reviews: 15 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Linphone is an on-premise and web-based voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system, which helps businesses in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and telecom streamline [Read more](/voip/linphone-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Recording: 4.6/5 - Call Routing: 4.4/5 - Live Chat: 4.2/5 - Video Conferencing: 3.8/5 [See all features](/voip/linphone-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Cisco Unified Communications Manager](/voip/cisco-unified-communications-manager-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 78 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Cisco Unified Communications Manager is a platform for integrating business communication technologies such as telephony, video conferencing, presence information, call recording, [Read more](/voip/cisco-unified-communications-manager-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Call Transfer: 5/5 - Unified Communications: 5/5 - Call Reporting: 5/5 - Call Routing: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Third-Party Integrations: 3/5 [See all features](/voip/cisco-unified-communications-manager-profile/#key-features) --- 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/best-softphones-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/best-softphones-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/best-softphones-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=4) ## Popular Comparisons [ Ringover vs RingEX ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/office-profile/vs/ringover/)[ 3CX vs GoTo Connect ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/2766-GoTo-Connect/vs/4936-3cx-phone-system/)[ Aircall vs CloudTalk ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/aircall-profile/vs/cloudtalk/)[ LiveAgent vs RingCX ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/liveagent-profile/vs/ringcentral-contact/)[ JustCall vs CTM ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/vs/justcall/)[ Squaretalk vs Zoiper ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/innitel-predictive-dialer-profile/vs/zoiper/)[ Zoom Phone vs Bria ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/xlite-profile/vs/zoom-phone/) ## Your Guide to Top Softphone Software, November 2023 Software Advice uses reviews from real software users to highlight the top-rated Softphone products in North America. [Learn how products are chosen](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/) #### Explore FrontRunners - [LiveAgent](https://www.softwareadvice.com/crm/liveagent-profile/) - [Ringover](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ringover-profile/) - [Squaretalk](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/innitel-predictive-dialer-profile/) - [ULTATEL Cloud Business Phone System](https://www.softwareadvice.com/screen-sharing/clarity-business-phone-system-profile/) - [Global Call Forwarding](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/global-call-forwarding-profile/) - G12 Communications - [Acefone](https://www.softwareadvice.com/cloud-communication/acefone-profile/) - [Ricochet360](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ricochet360-profile/) - [OnSIP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/onsip-hosted-voip-profile/) - [CallTrackingMetrics](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/calltrackingmetrics-profile/) - [GoTo Connect](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/goto-connect-profile/) - [RingCX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/ringcentral-contact-profile/) - [JustCall](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/justcall-profile/) - [3CX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/3cx-phone-system-profile/) - [CloudTalk](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/cloudtalk-profile/) - [Aircall](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/aircall-profile/) - [Grasshopper](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/grasshopper-profile/) - [OpenPhone](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/openphone-profile/) “Usability” includes user ratings for Functionality and Ease of Use. “Customer Satisfaction” includes user ratings for Customer Support, Likelihood to Recommend and Value for Money. Reviews analysis period: The reviews analysis period spans two years and ends the 15th of the month prior to publication. With the vast number of VoIP softphone products on the market, choosing the right solution for your phone system can be daunting. (Technically, all softphones are for [VoIP service](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/business-phone-service-comparison/), since they’re essentially software for placing calls over the Internet.) To help make your decision easier, we’ve compiled this guide. We’ll outline the common features of softphones and give a rundown of popular products to help you make the right decision for your business. We’ll look at: [What Is a VoIP Softphone?](#WhatIsaVoIPSoftphone) [Common Functions of VoIP Softphones](#CommonFunctionsofVoIPSoftphones) [Benefits of VoIP Softphones](#BenefitsofVoIPSoftphones) [Vendor Landscape](#VendorLandscape) [Crucial Considerations for Buyers](#CrucialConsiderationsforBuyers) ## What Is a VoIP Softphone? The name says it all: software phone. Softphones are software applications that run on devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets etc.) with Internet connections and allow you to make and receive calls. Softphones are thus designed for Internet phone service, commonly known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), rather than traditional phone service. A VoIP softphone is perhaps easiest to understand when compared to an IP phone i.e., a hardware office phone designed to make calls over the Internet using a [business VoIP](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/) service rather than traditional land lines. Both IP phones and softphones serve as endpoints to which VoIP phone systems connect calls, but one is software and the other is hardware. Some businesses choose to deploy softphones rather than hardware phones as phone system extensions. For instance, if your employees work remotely, it makes more sense to connect the phone system to applications on their laptops than to desk phones in an office they rarely see. Additionally, you can deploy softphones alongside desk phones and connect the same extension to both endpoints. This gives your employees more flexibility in their communications options. Softphone-only deployments are gaining in popularity and can also help keep the costs of switching to VoIP down, since IP phones can be expensive. ## Common Functions of VoIP Softphone Software VoIP softphones often include the following core capabilities: | Feature | Description | | --- | --- | | Voice calling | The key functionality of softphones. Make and receive calls through your Internet connection. | | Video calling | Place and receive video calls on devices with cameras. (Note that video calling is not the same as video conferencing, which frequently requires a more advanced application.) | | Call history | Track incoming and outgoing calls. | | Voicemail | Let callers leave voice messages when you’re not available. Listen to voice messages and return calls. | | On-demand call recording | Users can frequently initiate on-demand call recording from the softphone user interface (UI). | | Directory of contacts/presence | Just like your smartphone, a softphone has a directory of contacts. The difference is that softphones also generally display which contacts are currently online (a feature known as presence). | | Call transferring | Softphones allow you to transfer calls to contacts in your organization. | | Click-to-dial | Because softphones are installed on your device, they allow you to click on links on web pages and in emails in order to place calls automatically, without touching a keypad or picking up a receiver. | --- More advanced softphones offer a smorgasbord of features beyond these basic capabilities, and are known as unified communications (UC) clients. Generally, these clients are offered directly via the vendor of your phone system or [UC system](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/ucaas-comparison/), whereas softphones are commonly offered by third-party vendors. If you’re just looking for basic inbound and outbound calling capabilities, a softphone will generally be enough, while UC clients are for supporting advanced communications like multi-party video conferencing on smartphones and tablets. ## Benefits of VoIP Softphones There are many benefits of choosing a softphone over, or in addition to hardphones: - **Reduce costs by reducing hardware.** Softphone software gives you the option to forego traditional office phones. You’ll save money by not having to buy extra hardware in the first place. - **Integrate with computer systems.** Because softphones use your local computer network, they also integrate with your existing computer-based systems. Many softphone applications, including the ones mentioned above, can integrate with contact databases such as Outlook, Thunderbird and Mac address books. Softphones with click-to-dial allow you to place calls from your customer relationship management (CRM) software, Web browser or accounting system. This is a highly useful feature for call center agents and other employees that have to place lots of outbound calls (e.g those in accounts receivable). - **Place calls through Wi-Fi.** Normally, when you make a call with your cellphone, it goes over a cellular network and you have to pay per-minute rates as well as prohibitively expensive roaming fees if you’re out of range of your providers’ network. Softphones allow you to place calls over a Wi-FI internet connection, so you bypass the cellular network and avoid per-minute rates and roaming charges. You still need to pay for the data connection or the Wi-Fi connection unless it’s public. This feature results in significant savings for employees who travel abroad frequently. ## The Vendor Landscape There are both free and paid softphones on the market. To help you determine which softphone solution is right for you, let’s take a look at a few popular products. **3CX.** [3CX](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/3cx-phone-system-profile/) offers both cloud and on-premise business phone systems. Manage calls from your desktop and use your computer to make and receive calls. 3CX has softphones for both Windows and Mac, and it includes native Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) apps for Android and iOS. _3CX softphone for Mac_ **Bria X-Lite.** One of [Bria X-Lite’s](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/xlite-profile/) most attractive qualities is that it’s free. Several softphone vendors offer “freemium” versions that may have only limited functionalities and/or be supported by ads. Bria X-Lite includes functionalities for voice and video calls, instant messaging and voicemail support. This free solution is meant to act as a stepping stone to the paid option, Bria 4. It is compatible with Windows and Mac systems. _Bria X-Lite softphone, video calling and chat_ **Zoiper.** Another notable option on the market is [Zoiper](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/zoiper-profile/). Along with voice and video calling, it offers call recording, call transfer and auto-answering. It also has native conferencing, so you can conduct conference calls without relying on a third-party service. It works on Windows, Mac and Linux systems. _Zoiper video calling_ ## Crucial Considerations for Buyers **Free vs. paid softphones.** Many softphone vendors offer what are called “freemium” clients (e.g., Bria X-Lite) to encourage customers to eventually pay to upgrade. Some freemium products rely heavily on advertisements within the application to stay free. These clients can work well for smaller companies or companies with limited needs. However, larger enterprises or those seeking more complex functionalities will need a more advanced client. Phone system/headset compatibility. The #1 factor that should guide your choice of a softphone is compatibility. The softphone needs to be supported by your phone system, so check with your vendor or your vendor’s channel partner about this issue. Most major vendors list compatible softphones on their websites or in product literature. Additionally, if you’re planning to use the softphone in conjunction with a headset in a call center environment, you need to ensure that the softphone is also compatible with the specific brand of headset you’re using. **Softphone platforms.** Softphones are trending toward OS agnosticism. Users want apps that run on Windows, Mac and Linux, as well as on smartphone operating systems such as Android and iOS. Thus, many providers are now offering their products on many different platforms, and they’re developing mobile clients. ### Related Softphone Software - [Call Center Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/) - [Mobility Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/mobility/) - [Remote Work Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/remote-work/) - [Telephony Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/call-center/computer-telephony-integration-comparison/) - [VoIP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/voip/)