Are you in search of the best softphone app and still spend a lot of money on phone bills? Softphone apps are now popular as a part of new technologies; businesses and individuals are using them to include their needs during communication. Softphone applications allow you to place and receive actual calls through the Internet and provide opportunities for cost and freedom, as well as numerous possibilities with additional options.

This blog is all about the best Softphone apps for Windows in 2024, and this guide ensures you are able to find all the crucial information. I will highlight each app’s main attributes, cost, and special expertise and then decide which course best fits the need. 

Whether you’re a small business owner aiming to improve customer service or simply looking for a more affordable, flexible communication method, join us as we explore what are arguably the best Windows softphones available today.

🔑 Key Highlights
  • Softphones are gaining popularity due to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
  • While choosing the best softphone applications, you should consider key features such as HD voice, video conferencing, call recording, and integration.
  • Look forward to AI-powered features and enhanced integrations in softphones.
  • When choosing the right softphone, you need to evaluate options carefully to find the best fit for your needs.

What Are Softphone Apps?

What Are Softphone Apps

Computer Telephony Integrated Applications, commonly referred to as softphone applications, are software applications that allow users to make calls using computers with internet connectivity. They operate using VoIP, which transmits voice information over the internet, and thus are not limited to traditional phone lines.

Windows softphones offer multiple features, such as call forwarding, voicemail, conference calls, and instant messaging, that can increase communication capabilities. Moreover, they are usually easy to use with clean interfaces and easy to set up, making them suitable for organizations that need to simplify their telecommunication activities. Moreover, certain softphone suppliers provide an extra feature that enables users to connect via voice or video calls.

How Does Softphone Software Work?

Here is how softphone software works:

  • Voice Input: You speak into the microphone of your device, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
  • Voice conversion to digital packets: Softphone apps convert your voice into digital packets using VoIP technology.
  • Transmission via Internet: The digital packets are transmitted over the Internet to the recipient’s device
  • Reception of digital packets: The recipient’s device receives the digital data packets.
  • Conversion back to audio: The recipient’s device converts the digital packets back into audio signals.
  • Voice output: The recipient hears your voice through their device’s speaker. 

Key Features to Look for in Softphone Apps

Here are some key features you should consider while choosing the best softphone application for Windows:

  • HD Voice Quality: Clear audio is essential for effective communication.
  • Video Conferencing: For face-to-face interactions.
  • Call Recording: Useful for quality assurance, training, or legal purposes.
  • Call Transfer and Forwarding: Flexibility in managing calls.
  • Call Waiting and Conference Calling: Efficiently handle multiple calls.
  • Voicemail: Access messages when unavailable.
  • Caller ID and Call History: Manage contacts and track calls.
  • Integration Capabilities: Compatibility with CRM, email, and other business tools.

How To Choose the Right Softphone for Windows? 

How To Choose the Right Softphone for Windows

When selecting a softphone, always look for one that has all the abilities you require. First of all, it should be as easy to use as possible and compatible with your hardware. Look at how much it will cost you to purchase the softphone and the features that it comes with.

It is necessary to decide what business requirements are and, based on its size, determine which softphones should be selected for its development. Choosing the right softphone for Windows is a right decision that may lead to growth in a particular market.

When selecting a plan, focus on low cost, simplicity, and basic features such as calling forwarding, voicemail, and call waiting. Consider the features and crispness of the tool, flexibility of the tool, and compatibility with other business tools. Pay special attention to the additional options, safety, and functionality that would enable the system to support a large number of calls and various forms of communication.

I. Features

Certain features that a softphone should have are high-definition voice, Video conferencing, call recording, and call Transfer. Other features, depending on your business needs, include call analytics capabilities, auto-attendant, IVR, screen sharing, and others. One must also consider compatibility with existing software and tools such as CRM, email, and collaboration tools.

II. Pricing

This is the amount of money required when purchasing the softphone and related services. Pricing may vary with a per-user rate, per-minute rate, or subscription-type rate. One should also note that there can be added costs for features or customer support.

III. Call quality

There are some factors that people should take into consideration when purchasing softphone for Windows. Among all these criteria call quality remains as one of the most important. What can be said during the call can be valuable and what is heard during the call can be disturbing and unclear and hence one may have a bad interaction experience.

IV. Security

However, the prerequisites to the softphone apps on Windows are that the chosen softphone app provides a good level of data encryption to ensure the security of the communication. You have to search compliance and see whether the softphone meets specific regulations or not.

V. Customer support

When choosing a softphone, you may be concerned about a good support team. Here is why you need to look for better customer support: technical assistance in handling any emerging quick issue, training of new users, individuals, or organizations, integration assistance, and demonstration of peculiar features of the product. 

Top 10 Best Softphone Apps for Windows in 2024

As you can see in the market, there are many softphone apps for Windows, and you have to pick according to your specific needs. While choosing the softphone, you have to consider factors such as features, pricing, ease of use, security, customer support, and integration with other tools.

Let’s look at the top 10 best softphone apps for Windows in 2024.

1. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is a versatile collaboration platform offering robust softphone features. Its powerful AI powers can transform the way you work and bring together your physical and digital worlds.

It offers various features with a user-friendly interface. With mesh avatars and immersive 3D experiences that feel natural, boost engagement, and empower teams, you can connect with your teams and customers in a new way.

Features

It includes various features to boost and streamline communication. Here are some essential features of Microsoft Teams:

  • Online meetings
  • Screen sharing
  • Hot desking
  • Team phone
  • VoIP
  • PBX
  • Business phones
  • Instant messaging
  • File sharing
  • Microsoft apps
  • Workforce management

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Affordable: Good for small businesses. Complex: It can be difficult to navigate for some.
Feature-rich: Offers essential features. Costly: Requires Microsoft 365 license.
Integrated: Works seamlessly with Microsoft products. Limited integration: This may not integrate well with other solutions.

Pricing and plans

Microsoft Teams Essentials (Most Popular) Microsoft 365 Business Basic Microsoft 365 Business Standard
$4:00 user/month (Annual subscription-auto renews) $6.00 user/month (Annual subscription auto-renews) $12.50 user/month (Annual subscription auto-renews)
  • Unlimited group meetings for up to 30 hours
  • Up to 300 participants per meeting.
  • 10 GB cloud storage per use
  • Unlimited chats with customers and coworkers.
  • Custom business email
  • 1 TB of cloud storage per employee
  • Automatic spam and malware filtering
  • Anytime phone and web support
  • Copilot for Microsoft 365 is available as an add-on.
  • Desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
  • Webinars with attendee registration and reporting
  • New: Video editing and design tools with Clipchamp
  • Copilot for Microsoft 365, available as an add-on.

2. CloudTalk

You can easily support your sales team with Cloudtalk. It is a cloud-based phone system that offers advanced features such as CRM integration, ring group, auto attendant, voice mail, and automated workflows. 

With CloudTalk softphone, you can easily enhance customer interactions and operational efficiency. You can also access Cloudtalk on various platforms, including Linux. It delivers seamless, reliable calls with a worldwide presence, so you can reach every customer everywhere. 

Key features

Some key features of CloudTalk are:

  • Call statistics
  • Ring groups
  • Business phone numbers
  • Click-to-call functionality
  • Auto-attendant
  • Voicemail
  • Cloud-based call center software
  • CRM integrations

Pros and cons

Pros  Cons 
Easy to use and set up Lacks some features
Integrates with many CRMs and other business tools Customer support may not always be available 
Affordable pricing plans

Pricing and plans

Starter Essential Expert  Custom 
$25 per user per month $30 per user per month $50 per user per month Contact for a tailor-made offer
  • Unlimited inbound & intracompany calls
  • Call recording
  • Email & chat support
  • Softphone for desktop, iOS, Android
  • Advanced real-time analytics with unlimited history
  • Integration to other systems & API
  • Unlimited concurrent calls
  • Salesforce integration
  • Developer support
  • Custom reporting
  • Enterprise-level security 
  • Custom reporting
  • SLA 
  • Custom onboarding & priority support
  • Unlimited worldwide call packages

3. Zoom Phone

Zoom Phone is known for its video conferencing capabilities and offers a reliable and feature-rich softphone experience. It is a cloud-based solution that allows businesses to make and receive calls over the Internet and send and receive SMS.

It is an affordable communication option that can enhance your communication experience. It offers various features such as voice calls, webinars, and chats. It can make your call smooths, enabling businesses to focus on versatility and ease of use.

Features

It has various features that can lift your business communication to the next level. Here are some features of Zoom Phone:

  • Zoom Mobile and Desktop App
  • Desk phone support
  • Call transfer
  • Voicemail
  • Phone number porting
  • Contact center integration
  • Team SMS
  • Whisper
  • Business application integration 

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Good call quality It may lack some advanced features
Easy to use and manage Limited customer support
Affordable pricing plans Security concerns 

Pricing and plans

Basic (1-user) Pro (1-9 users) Business (10-250 users)
Free $12 /month/user (billed annually), $14.99 per month/user (billed monthly) $18 per month/user (billed annually), $21.99 per month/user (billed monthly)
  • Meetings up to 40 minutes per meeting
  • 100 participants
  • Whiteboard basic
  • Team chat
  • Mail and calendar
  • Meeting up to 30 hours 
  • AI companion
  • Clout storage 5 GB
  • Essential Apps
  • Clips plus unlimited videos
  • 300 participants per meeting
  • Whiteboard unlimited boards
  • Scheduler
  • Extra SSo, managed domains & more.

4. 3CX

It is a cloud-based PBX system with one of the most superior softphone applications and services. 3CX is an enterprise phone system with a contact center module suitable for any company with at least 25 employees.

You can also leverage self-service by empowering your contact center with its AI communication solution. This makes it easier for organizations of all sizes (small to large businesses) to get better solutions from the robust software PBX and 3CX.

Some of the industry’s best features are available, such as multi-level IVR, call recording, CRM integration, and call and chat reports, which will improve communication with your team and the customer experience.

Features

3CX offers features such as:

  • Custom IP Phone Logo
  • Multi-level IVR
  • Team messaging
  • Video conferencing
  • Ring group and welcome message
  • Desktop support
  • Call queues
  • Skill-based Routing
  • Start / Stop Call Recording

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Modern telecom services with lower investment cost Contact management isn’t seamless enough
AI-powered communication solution It can be considered expensive
Great fit for organizations of any size Limited integration options

Pricing and plans

3CX SMB free 3CX SMB 3CX Pro 3CX Enterprise
$0 forever up to 10 users $195 per system (billed annually) up to 20 users $295 billed annually per system, not users!  $370 per system (billed annually)
  • Next-gen phone system
  • Bring your own SIP Trunk
  • Live Chat
  • Team Messaging
  • Video Conferencing
  • Call Queues
  • Multi-level IVR
  • Deskphone support
  • Call & Chat Reporting
  • SMS/MMS Support
  • Option to install on-premise or self-host
  • Dedicated Installation
  • Call Recording
  • CRM Integration
  • Hot Desking
  • Custom IP Phone Logo
  • MS Teams
  • Skill-based Routing
  • Start / Stop Call Recording

5. Linphone

Despite being an open-source softphone application, it is one of the most well-known softphone applications. It includes multiple features and various protocol support. It also distinguished itself because it was fluid and could be arranged according to the client’s preferences.

It is driven by functionalities which include voice and video communication, texting, and sharing of files. Linphone is a complete, secure, and the best softphone app for Windows in 2024 for communication.

Its advanced features put you in a better position to interact well with your audience and other teams. It has a responsive design that suits both mobile and desktop layouts. 

Features

It includes numerous advanced features. Here are some essential and advanced features that Linphone provides:

  • Group chat
  • Group calls & meetings
  • Secure communication
  • Advanced push notifications
  • Smart contact list
  • Remote provisioning 
  • Recording feature

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
HD audio and video calling Problems with audio devices in multi-device environments.
Secure communication app Limited support
Advanced features Less polished interface

Pricing and plans

Free, open-source product

6. Bria

It is a well-known and feature-rich softphone focused on enterprise-level communication. Bria is a business softphone for all devices that provides good communication with crystal-clear audio.

Bria by Counterpath is a full-stack cloud-based softphone. Its high-quality calls and strong customer support make it a valuable choice. It offers various features that will improve your customer interactions and operational efficiency. 

Bria is a great choice for users who want a business softphone for all devices. Its robust call features and user-friendly interface enable you to handle customer communication effectively.

Key features

It offers features such as:

  • Supports multiple VoIP accounts
  • HD voice and video calls
  • Messaging and presence features
  • File sharing 
  • Call recording 
  • Integration with enterprise systems

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
User-friendly interface Paid subscription
Wide range of features Limited customization
Good customer support Potential for vendor lock-in

Pricing and plans

Bria solo (for single users) Bria teams (for multiple users) Bria Enterprise (for multiple users)
$2.95 $4.95 Contact sales
  • Device supported: 3
  • VoIP accounts support: 5
  • HD audio/video support
  • Standard audio/video 
  • Team voice and video service
  • Team messaging & presence
  • Screen sharing service
  • Call analytics
  • Remote debugging tools
  • Softphone troubleshooting logs
  • Video collaboration service
  • Stretto messaging & presence

7. PhonerLite

It is an affordable softphone application that offers basic VoIP services. PhonerLite is an easy-to-use VoIP softphone with profile and contact management. It is clearly arranged application for Windows.

PhonerLite is a free VoIP softphone application, a lighter version of another program called Phoner. It is free to use and can be downloaded from the website.

Key features

  • Free calls
  • low -cost international calls
  • Easy to use
  • Available on multiple platforms
  • Integrated script  capability
  • Text to speech
  • Call recording

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Free and open-source Limited customization options
Support a variety of protocols and codecs Lack some features
Text-to-speech It may require technical knowledge

Pricing

PhonerLite is free.

8. Jitsi

Jitsi is a free and open-source video conferencing and messaging platform with a built-in softphone. It is designed for desktops and laptops, allowing you to make phone calls from computers without the need for a traditional phone line.

It is a well-known softphone app for Windows that provides essential features for secure, high-quality meetings. Jitsi offers a secure, flexible, and completely free video conferencing. 

Its features, such as API, audio calls, call recording, conferencing, live chat, and more, enable you to communicate effectively with your teams and customers.

Key features

  • Activity tracking
  • Auto dialer
  • Automatic call distribution
  • Live chat
  • Conferencing
  • Call recording
  • API
  • audio/video recording.

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Secure video conferencing solutions  Advanced switch features have yet to be implemented
Provide high-quality and scalable video conferences. Technical issues
It is a versatile video conferencing tool. Offers limited integration options

Pricing and plans

Jitsi Meet is open-source and is available for free.

9. Zoiper

Zoiper is a free softphone for making VoIP calls through your PBX or favorite SIP provider. It is customizable and supports multiple protocols and features. You can effectively improve the efficiency of communication with Zoiper. 

It is compatible with most VoIP service providers and PBXs. You can take advantage of its features and enjoy free calls between Zopier users. 

Key features

  • Access Controls/Permissions.
  • Auto-Dialer.
  • CRM.
  • Call Recording.
  • Call Routing.
  • Call Transfer.

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Zoiper offers a free basic plan Limited features in the free plan
Zoiper works with a variety of VoIP service providers  It can be complex to set up
Multi-platform  Limited customer support

Pricing and plans

Zoiper 5 Pro is a one-time purchase. There are no monthly or yearly subscription fees.

License price: $55.78

10. Google Voice

It is a leading softphone for Windows, allowing businesses to streamline their communication while staying connected with their customers. It is a perfect softphone app for businesses that don’t need advanced features. 

Google Voice is a simple and affordable option for individuals and small businesses. It is a VoIP phone service that allows you to make calls from anywhere in the world.

It offers features such as voicemail transcripts, unlimited text messaging, personalized voicemail greetings, and more that make it a versatile communication tool.

Key features

  • Unlimited text messaging in the US
  • Multi-level auto attendant
  • Personalized voicemail greetings
  • Usage and activity reporting
  • Screen calls before you answer
  • Audio & video conferencing

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
Cost-effective: Great for international calls. Limited features: No toll-free numbers or auto-replies.
Flexible: Share incoming calls and transfer numbers easily. Unavailable: Not available in all countries.
Convenient: Voicemail transcription. User caps: May not suit larger organizations

Pricing and plans

Starter Standard  Premier 
$10 per user per month $20 per user per month $30 per user per month
  • Maximum number of users: 10
  • Call forwarding
  • Voicemail transcriptions
  • Web and mobile apps
  • Unlimited (but extra for more than 50)
  • Ring group
  • SIP link
  • Multi-level auto attendant
  • Unlimited (but extra for more than 50)
  • Ring group
  • BigQuery export
  • SIP link

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Providers Mentioned Above

Selecting the above VoIP softphone application, there are several factors to consider. Here are some factors to consider before choosing the providers mentioned above:

  • Features and Functionality: You should consider core features such as voice calls, video calls, messaging, and call forwarding. Advanced features like call recording, call transfer, or integration with CRM system, and customization
  • Pricing and plans: Before choosing the above providers, you must compare each app’s pricing model, including upfront costs, subscription fees, and per-minute rates.
  • Compatibility and integration: Ensure the app is compatible with your preferred devices and operating systems.
  • Call quality and reliability: Test the call quality to ensure clear and reliable audio and evaluate the app’s performance on different networks and under different conditions.
  • Security and privacy: Before implementing the softphone apps for Windows, you need to ensure that the chosen softphone app offers secure data encryption to protect your communication.
  • User experience and interface: Before choosing the providers mentioned above, consider how easy and intuitive the app’s interface is to navigate.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose the VoIP softphone application that best meets your specific needs and preferences.

FAQs

What is a softphone app?

Softphone application is a software application allowing you to make and receive calls over the internet. They work by utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to transmit audio signals over the Internet.

 Why should I use a softphone app for Windows?

You should use a softphone app for Windows to minimize your cost, flexibility, advanced features, integrations and more. This helps you to save money on traditional phone lines, and you can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection.

What are the top features to look for in a softphone app?

The top features to look for in a softphone app are:

  • HD voice and video quality
  • Call recording
  • Call forwarding and voicemail
  • Security features
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Integration with other business tools

Are there any free softphone apps for Windows?

Yes, there are various free softphone apps available for Windows; we have mentioned some of the best free softphone apps for Windows in this blog, including:

  • Linphone
  • Jitsi
  • PhonerLite
  • 3CX (Basic plan)

Prasanta Raut

Prasanta is the founder and visionary CEO of Dialaxy. He is on a mission to redefine the landscape of SaaS solutions, infusing creativity and ingenuity into every aspect of Dialaxy’s offerings. His fervent dedication to simplifying sales and support processes drives Dialaxy’s forward momentum, delivering unparalleled value to businesses of all sizes. Embark on a transformative journey with Prasanta and Dialaxy as they pave the way for a new era of sales and support excellence.

Prasanta is the founder and visionary CEO of Dialaxy. He is on a mission to redefine the landscape of SaaS solutions, infusing creativity and ingenuity into every aspect of Dialaxy’s offerings. His fervent dedication to simplifying sales and support processes drives Dialaxy’s forward momentum, delivering unparalleled value to businesses of all sizes. Embark on a transformative journey with Prasanta and Dialaxy as they pave the way for a new era of sales and support excellence.