What is a Softphone?

A softphone is a software application that allows you to make and receive phone calls over the internet directly from your computer, laptop, or mobile device. It essentially turns your device into a fully-featured business phone, replicating the functionality of a traditional desk phone through a software interface.

How it Differs from a Desk IP Phone

While both softphones and physical IP desk phones use the same underlying VoIP technology to make calls, their form and function are fundamentally different:

• Hardware: A desk phone is a dedicated piece of hardware that sits on a desk. A softphone is pure software, requiring only the device it's installed on and a headset (for computers) or the device's built-in microphone and speaker (for mobiles).
• Mobility: This is the softphone's greatest advantage. Because it's an application on your laptop or smartphone, it travels with you. As long as you have an internet connection, you can make and receive calls on your business line from anywhere, making it the ideal tool for remote workers, hybrid teams, and employees who travel frequently.
• Cost and Deployment: Deploying softphones is often more cost-effective and practical than providing physical hardware, especially for remote employees. It eliminates the cost of a second desk phone for a home office and removes the reliance on having available Ethernet ports, Power over Ethernet (PoE), or Wi-Fi-enabled desk phones.

Native vs. Third-Party Softphones

When choosing a business communication solution, it's highly beneficial to select a provider that offers its own native softphone applications for both desktop and mobile.

Using a provider's own app ensures a seamless, "out-of-the-box" experience. There is no complex manual configuration required. More importantly, it guarantees that all the platform's unified communications features—such as instant messaging, video conferencing, and presence status—are perfectly integrated and fully functional. Relying on a generic, third-party softphone can often lead to complicated setup processes, limited functionality, and troubleshooting headaches whenever your primary provider updates their system.