Softphones were once a craze with mobile or home users. But, recently, office agents are also choosing to use softphones as a convenient replacement for traditional desk dialers. And it doesn’t matter if you already have an established service package for your phone, everyone wants to take advantage of low-cost calls for their business. So, our selection of top software phones in the market would help you select the best of the best. That is, you would find these softphones to be beneficial according to cost savings or any other benefits relevant to your business. Choose from the list of softphones which you would find tailor-made for your business!
We have used the word Softphones quite a few times, now let’s define it. Well, a Softphone is a software application that can be used in a computer, smartphone or a tablet for making calls over the internet using a VoIP service. The most important feature of a softphone is eliminating the need for a phone base unit or handset to make the calls.
That is, the software itself acts as a phone interface which enables the user to make, manage and receive calls from the interface screen. The conversations can be achieved by using a headset or a microphone attached to your device.
Benefits of VoIP Softphones
The installation and maintenance of desk phones can be difficult. And having a landline becomes a bigger hassle when an office moves into a bigger space. So, the VoIP softphones make it possible to maintain without any disruptions even when the office is moved as the software is installed on a computer and doesn’t require any re-routing.
It doesn’t require any additional hardware cost as a simple headphone with a mic would suffice.
The software makes it easier for agents who are travelling to communicate with prospects or team members. And the software makes it possible for them to use the same phone number that they use at their desk.
It gives you the option to convert smartphones into communication tools used for business. That too, at an affordable price.
Now that you know what softphones are and what are its advantages. You are ready for the list. And with this selection, we are sure that you would find the right softphone according to your business requirements. And it doesn’t matter if you are a small firm or a big establishment.
Table of Contents
So, here are the top softphones currently being used by various call centers and businesses:
Skype Connect is easy to use software that helps to receive Skype calls on the office phones. It helps to make low-cost calls by integrating Skype with a VoIP phone system. And by adding Skype Connect to your business, you would save on communication costs with little or no additional upgrades.
Pricing: Custom Pricing. Although all incoming Skype calls through Skype Connect are free.
Key Features
Buy channels and allocate credit to your Skype SIP profile.
Configure your PBX or VoIP gateway with the profile details easily.
Instant Messaging
Video Calls
3CX
3CX is a multi-platform phone system that you can choose to use in your office or in the cloud account. It is easy to install and manage. Plus, it saves ample amount of time. It also has the capability of cutting the phone bills down by 80% a year. The software can be used on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android operating systems. The softphone saves licencing costs and licencing administration because of being free of cost.
Pricing: Free
Highlights
Quick Installation
Ease of Use
User-friendly Interface
Key Features
Self Host (on your Cloud Account)
Automated Admin Tasks
Advanced Security
WebRTC based Web Conferencing
Instant Chat
RingCentral
RingCentral is an all-in-one phone, team messaging and video conferencing software that includes a robust and flexible cloud-based phone system. With the help of team messaging, you would be able to have effective real-time communication. The software keeps participants engaged with the highest quality video conferencing. It also helps share necessary files easily. It operates on Windows and Mac operating systems and provides a range of VoIP features on desktops and other devices. The software has four versions: Entry, Standard, Premium, and Enterprise which offers a different range of functionality according to your needs.
Pricing: $16 to $55
Free Trial: Available
Highlights
HD Quality
Intuitive User Interface
Key Features
Omnichannel Routing
CRM integrations
Agent Management tools
Actionable Analytics
Audio Conferencing
Instant Messaging
8X8
The 8×8 Virtual Office is a comprehensive unified communications softphone application with functionality for Windows and Mac desktops. The software integrates business softphones with visual voicemail, corporate directory, instant messaging, video calling, fax, and many more options. This software is not a standalone softphone. As in, it is only available to download as 8×8 Virtual Office or 8×8 Virtual Office Pro. The softphone offers all the VoIP functionality of other similar applications.
Pricing: Free for Virtual Office
Highlights
Integration with Social Media Applications
Key Features
HD Audio with Transfer, Park, and 3-Way Calling
Video Calling
Visual Voicemail
Call Forwarding
Caller and Calling Line Information
Premium Features only available with Virtual Office Pro:
SRTP Secure Audio
Call Recording
Sending & Receiving Faxes
Web Conferencing
X Lite
X Lite is a softphone application that combines video and voice calls in the phone’s interface. The software helps with the seamless transition from a traditional phone to the world of VoIP. the X Lite is basically the free version of Bria, which is another excellent softphone. It incorporates some of the best and popular features of Bria. The software includes video calls, voice calls, and messaging. Although, in order to use X Lite, your system must have a SIP-enabled IP PBX or access to an Internet Service Provider. And that the softphone is intended for evaluation purposes only. Plus, it supports Windows 10.
Pricing: Free
Highlights
Soft Version of Bria
Presence Status using SIP SIMPLE
Key Features
Standard Definition Voice and Video Calling Support
Instant Messaging
SIP-based Call Signalling for working with a Wide Number of Networks
Comprehensive Contact List Support
Voicemail Support
Bria
Bria or Bria 5 is a dynamic Windows or Mac application which gives next-generation abilities for managing communications efficiently and easily. Bria replaces or complements your desk phone which allows you for making video calls and voice calls over IP. It also enables you to see the contact’s presence status, transfer information and files along with sending instant messages. Furthermore, Bria for Desktop can be enhanced with branding customization and options for features for large-scale deployments. The softphone can be integrated with many of the industry’s standard platforms and devices. On top of that, it includes features specially designed for enterprise and business users.
Pricing: $49.99
Highlights
User-friendly Interface
Advanced Configuration
Extremely Reliable Application
Key Features
High Definition Voice and Conference Calls using various Voice Codecs
Send and Receive high-definition Video files up to 1080p Resolution
Telephony Features such as single click to call, speakerphone, 3-way calls etc.
Call Recording
Comprehensive Call History
Do Not Disturb Function
Instant Messaging
Presence Status
Enhanced Contact Management
Microsoft Office Integration (Windows Only)
Missed Calls Indicator
Line2
Line2 is a cloud-based softphone service which allows you to text and talk easily. Its unique feature separates business from personal calls and messages with a second phone number on all your devices. The software is flexible, that is, it gives you the power to handle business anywhere. Whether its taking calls or answering texts. The softphone provides an affordable full-featured solution for VoIP. It also offers an ideal solution for mobile workers who want to enjoy the full benefits of VoIP service.
Pricing
Standard Plan comes at $8.30/Month
Pro Plan comes at $12.45/User/Month
Elite Plan comes at $16.63/User/Month
Free Trial: Available
Highlights
Mobile Office with Business Features
Key Features (Standard)
Unlimited SMS & MMS Messaging
Unlimited Calling
Works over WiFi/LTE
Compatible with Phones, Tablets, Macs & Windows
Port Number for Free
Team Calling and Messaging
For Pro and Elite features, check out their website given above.
ZoiPer
ZoiPer is an excellent VoIP softphone that searches through your contacts and displays them in a combined list for easier access. The software displays information of incoming calls so that you know who is calling before you answer. It supports multiple platforms such as Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS or Android. The intuitive interface incorporates Audio, Video, Fax and Instant Messaging. It improves upon the efficiency of the communications through CRM integration, number recognition and Thunderbird plugins. ZoiPer doesn’t run on Java, Flash or .NET Framework. However, it is written in C/C++ and assembly which results in low memory and CPU usage along with running perfectly even on older systems.
Pricing: $39.95
Free Trial: Available
Highlights
User-friendly Interface
Contact Integration
Call Conference & Transfer
Key Features
Encryption
Video Calls
Click 2 Dial Addon
Audio & Video Codecs
Phone Number Rewriting
Voicemail
Call Forwarding
Auto Answer
Instant Messaging
Unlimited Event Rule Handling
Cisco Jabber
Cisco Jabber is a softphone application which doesn’t limit productivity. It allows you to message instantly, supports video and voice calls, message through voice, desktop sharing, conferencing and others. It is available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. It also features integration with Microsoft Office so that you can call while working on a database. It provides up to 8 lines for audio and video calling within the Jabber Client. Moreover, developers can create Jabber Bots whose sole job is to send and receive messages along with launching chats and calls.
Pricing: Quote-based Pricing
Highlights
High Definition Quality of Calls
Business-class Voice and Video
Key Features
Multiline
Auto Integration of Android
Contacts for Phone Mode
Jabber Bots
Instant Messaging
Presence Status
Conferencing
Voice Messaging
Desktop Sharing
iSoftphone
iSoftphone is a specifically designed software application for Macs and iOS operating systems. It is an easy to use application with a one-step configuration process which allows talking to other iSoftphone users in seconds. It is available in ClassicOS X, ProOS X, iPhone and iPad. The versions offer a full-featured VoIP service with a combination of a wide range of communication methods. The softphone has an intuitive call panel which provides quick access for functionality.
Pricing: $45
Free Trial: Available
Highlights
One-step Configuration
Full-featured VoIP service
Key Features
High-Quality Video and Audio Calls
Quick Access to Contacts
Instant Messaging
Call Management
Desktop Sharing
Secure VoIP
CRM Data on Demand
Acrobits Groundwire
Acrobits Groundwire is an application software which allows making phone calls without the need for a physical device. Groundwire is a feature-rich mobile SIP client available. It is capable of replacing your desktop phone. The softphone comes preloaded with all the features you would expect in a softphone application. Moreover, it has been designed to run efficiently on mobile systems such as Android and iOS. And it supports multitasking and push notifications.
Pricing: $13
Highlights
Multitasking
Push Notifications
Key Features
Video Calling
Call Conferencing
Voicemail Notification
Instant Messaging
Call Recording
This is our list of excellent softphones which would help you in ways you see fit for your call centers or businesses. If you have some knowledge of other outstanding softphones we might have missed. Feel free to contact us!