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With a softphone or web phone, you can easily manage calls from your desktop or web browser. Whether you are in the office, at home or on the road, using the 3CX Windows or Web Client will greatly reduce costs and admin headaches. No additional hardware costs for desktop handsets and all the communications features included. The RingCentral softphone application is the best choice for businesses looking for. LifeSize Softphone is the most advanced stand-alone desktop software for HD video conferencing. It has full HD support, a simple interface and advanced media encryption, enabling remote PC and Mac users to work collaboratively in a completely secure environment.

Using the softphone feature, you can easily place, receive, and manage telephone calls using your computer or mobile device and an internet connection. University IT provides support for a softphone through the Jabber application, allowing you to simulate your Stanford telephone using your Mac.

The Jabber softphone feature is also available for Windows computers, and iOS and Android mobile devices.

Place a call

You can place a softphone call in three ways:

USING YOUR CONTACTS LIST

1. Click in the Jabber hub.
2. Hover over the appropriate contact’s name and click .
   The call is placed to the person’s Stanford telephone number.

For details on adding contacts to your Contacts list, see Managing Contacts.

SEARCHING THE STANFORD JABBER DIRECTORY

1. Type the person’s name in the Jabber hub Search or call field.
   It is best to type the name as completely as possible since Jabber will only display the first 15 matches.
2. Hover over the appropriate contact’s name in the search results and click .
   The call is placed to the person’s Stanford telephone number.

TYPING THE TELEPHONE NUMBER

1. Type the person’s phone number in the Jabber hub Search or call field.
   Important:When entering a non-Stanford number, you must enter a 9 first, then the rest of the number as you would from a telephone (e.g., 916509871234). With Stanford telephone numbers, you can dial the last five digits or the full seven or ten digit number.
2. Click next to the Search or call field.
   The call is placed to the entered telephone number.

Receive a call

You must be logged in to the Jabber application to receive a call using your softphone. Settings affect a telephone number regardless if they are set on your desk phone or your softphone. So, for example, if your forward your desk phone to voicemail, your softphone is also forwarded to voicemail and you will not receive calls. Changing the setting on one also changes the setting on the other.

When you receive an incoming call, you’ll see a call window open on your computer screen.

• Click Accept to accept the call.
• Click Decline to forward the call to voicemail.

Forward and unforward calls

Forwarding sends calls coming to your Stanford phone number to your Stanford voicemail or any other phone number you choose. Unforwarding your calls make them ring on both your desk phone and softphone (when active). Forwarding or unforwarding your calls on your desk phone or softphone affects both phones.

FORWARDING YOUR CALLS

1. Click in the Jabber hub (bottom right).
2. In the Forward Call to dropdown menu, either:
   • Select among the listed numbers (numbers to which you’ve recently forwarded your calls) or
   • Select New Number to enter another phone number.
   1. Enter a phone number, including 9, 1, area code and seven-digit phone number (e.g., 914159876543) and press enter on your keyboard.
   2. Select the new number in the Forward Calls to: drop down menu.

UNFORWARDING YOUR CALLS

1. Click in the Jabber hub (bottom right).
2. In the Forward Call to dropdown menu, select Off to top forwarding your calls.

Place a call on hold

1. Click in the active call window.
2. Select Hold.
   The call is placed on hold. Click Resume to resume the call.

Note: When you place someone on hold, they will hear music. If you are on a conference call and answer a second line, the conference call is placed on hold and the conference attendees hear the hold music.

Transfer a call

Transferring allows you to transfer a call from your softphone to any other phone on the Stanford system.

1. Click in the active call window.
2. Select Transfer.
   This places the active call on hold.
3. Type the name of the person or the phone number to which you want to transfer the call in the search box.
4. Select the person or number when it appears in the search list.
   You are connected to that number.
5. Press Transfer to complete the transfer.
6. Click .

A softphone is a piece of software that runs on a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone and allows you to make calls over the Internet, using a VoIP provider. A softphone removes the need for a physical phone base unit or handset, and enables you to make and receive calls – as well as manage contacts – all from the same user interface screen. Conversations can be held via a connected headset, or with a microphone and speakers attached to your computer.

Softphones have numerous advantages over traditional business phone setups:

• No additional hardware costs for desktop handsets
• All the flexibility and call management options afforded by typical VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services
• The option to turn smartphones and other mobile devices into business-level communication tools, which can be used out of the office and on the move

Below, we round up the best softphone apps available in 2020, including their key features and pricing.

Best Softphone Apps

If you already have a business VoIP provider, it's likely that their own softphone app is bundled with your service package. We’ve included several of the most popular such provider-designed softphone apps below, so if you’re already with RingCentral, for example, it would make sense to stick with their app as this will offer optimal integration with your existing phone system.

Alongside these provider softphone platforms, we’ve also listed several other standalone apps that can be used regardless of which VoIP service you use.

With this selection of softphone apps, we're confident that you’ll find exactly the right solution for your requirements – whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business, or a larger enterprise.

Best Softphone Apps:

RingCentral

The RingCentral softphone application is the best choice for businesses looking for streamlined and long term growth. The app is free if RingCentral is already your VoIP provider. If not, you'll need to sign up to one of four packages– Entry, Standard, Premium or Enterprise – to take advantage of the app's benefits.

Ringcentral's app operates on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and provides a wide range of industry-leading VoIP communication features which make it worth the investment, including video calling, messaging, screen-sharing and virtual whiteboards.

The high call quality and wide-ranging functionality will significantly improve your communication and collaboration, especially given the app has recently been updated (May 2020) to replace the former “RC phone” and provide even better user experience.

Price: from $19.99/month

Key Features:

• Audio conferencing
• Web meetings
• Instant messaging
• Integration with CRM, Outlook and other popular apps
• Presence (the ability to see which users are online in real-time)

8×8

8×8 Virtual Office is another softphone application that comes free when you purchase one of the company’s ongoing VoIP packages. It provides all the VoIP functionality you would expect from an industry-leading provider, and can integrate with Outlook and social media apps.

It works on iOS and Android, as well as Windows and Mac but, again, this is not a standalone softphone and is only available to paid 8×8 X Series subscription or a free 8×8 Express trial customers.

Price: from $25/month

Highlights:

• Integration with Outlook
• Part of 8×8 Virtual Office or Virtual Office Pro

Key Features:

• 3-way calling
• Voicemail
• Call forwarding
• Caller and calling line information
• One-click calling

Counterpath Bria Teams

Counterpath Bria Teams is a carrier-grade SIP softphone application for Windows, Mac and iOS/Android devices. It includes a range of features specifically designed for business users and can be deployed within an enterprise environment.

If the standard offering doesn't quite live up to your initial expectations, this softphone application can also be customized with a number of add-ons, such as screen share or contact management, to boost its functionality. You can try it free for 30 days before you buy.

Price: from $4.95/mo

Highlights:

• Optimized interface
• Advanced interoperability and configuration
• Carrier-grade application

Key Features:

• Voice and video calling
• Instant messaging
• Enhanced contact management
• Presence

Zoiper 5

The Zoiper 5 softphone application replaces the former Zoiper 3, Zoiper Classic and Zoiper Web apps, which have been discontinued. It comes as a free version for non-commercial calls on iOS or Android, or a fully-fledged VoIP package for businesses, as Zoiper 5 PRO.

Upgrading to Zoiper 5 PRO enables functionality on Windows or Mac as well as iOS/Android devices, provides military grade encryption for added security, and grants access to unified communications functionality.

Upgrading is a one-time purchase, after which you can place free calls between Zoiper users, and benefit from no recurring monthly fees. Zoiper 5 PRO also works with Asterisk, Freeswitch, Cisco CallManager, 3CX, Elastix and most other modern SIP based PBXs,

Price: Free / $49.95 one-time cost

Highlights:

• Military-grade security
• All contacts on a single interface

Key Features:

• Audio and video calls
• Fax
• Presence
• Instant messaging
• CRM integration
• Call recording

iSoftphone

iSoftphone is available in four versions – ClassicOS X, ProOS X, iPhone and iPad. All versions offer a fully featured VoIP service that includes audio and video calling, as well as helpful features like online presence monitoring (Presence), call recording, and integration with CRM data.

iSoftPhone combines a wide range of communication methods into an easy to use application with quick, easy configuration. The intuitive Call Panel provides quick access to functionality, and helps improve personal productivity.

Price: $35 – $55

Highlights:

Cisco Softphone For Mac

• Intuitive functions
• One-step configuration

Key Features:

• Instant messaging
• Integration with CRM
• Call recording
• Presence
• Video calls

3CXPhone

3CXPhone can be used on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS operating systems to make and receive phone calls from a PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet.

The best thing about this softphone application is it's completely free, saving licensing costs and reducing licensing administration.

It provides a useful entry-level VoIP phone solution, although functionality may be limited, compared with paid offerings.

A smart move may be to try this free app first, then if it suits your needs you can always upgrade to a full 3CX VoIP package later on.

Price: Free

Highlights:

• Quick and simple installation
• Open Standards-based next generation softphone
• Easy to use, intuitive user interface with dial pad and buttons

Key Features:

Free Softphone For Mac

• Presence
• Instant Chat
• Wide choice of VoIP Providers/SIP Trunks

Cisco Jabber

Cisco Jabber is a softphone application for Android, Blackberry, iPhone and iPad, Mac, and Windows platforms. It offers HD video and desktop sharing capabilities, plus other VoIP features that deliver secure, reliable communications on a wide variety of devices.

Cisco Jabber is a business-class softphone application from a leading provider of VoIP solutions. It offers high call quality, and a wide range of communication and collaboration facilities.

Price: By quotation

Key Features:

• Presence
• Instant messaging
• Voice messaging
• Desktop sharing
• Conferencing

Acrobits Groundwire

This is a business class SIP softphone application designed specifically for mobile users. It combines features business users need with intuitive features created for mobiles.

Groundwire claims to be the first mobile SIP client capable of replacing a desktop phone. It offers good VoIP functionality for mobile users at an affordable price.

Price: $13

Highlights:

• Multi-line
• Designed specifically for mobile

Key Features:

• Video calling
• Call conferencing
• Voicemail Notification
• Enterprise support for SMS
• Call recording

Line2

This softphone is only available to Line2 Pro subscribers. The Pro Plan provides an affordable, fully-featured solution for VoIP, and offers many great features for mobile workers.

As part of the Line 2 Pro Plan service, the softphone application provides an ideal solution for mobile workers who want to enjoy the full benefits of a VoIP service when they are away from their desks or working in the field.

Price: Free to Line2 Pro subscribers

Highlights:

• Mobile office with business-grade features
• 500 minutes and unlimited texts

Key Features:

• Auto attendant
• Group conferencing
• Visual voicemail
• Call forwarding

ShoreTel

ShoreTel Sky was recently acquired by Mitel, but their Softphone app is still available to users through the Mitel brand. It is modeled on traditional deskphones, which gives it a very intuitive interface, compared to other softphones. It incorporates the ShoreTel Communicator interface to provide access to powerful unified communications tools.

As part of the Mitel VoIP service, the softphone application provides access to a wide range of enterprise-grade VoIP services.

Price: Free to ShoreTel Sky VoIP subscribers

Highlights:

• Requires minimal configuration
• Intuitive interface

Key Features:

• ShoreTel Communicator interface
• Call history
• Voicemail
• Presence

Best Softphone Apps for iPhone and Android

Many softphone apps have iPhone and Android versions available, but it's worth checking before you take the plunge and sign up. It's a good idea to know what equipment your staff have access to and whether or not the app you choose will be compatible with their platform of choice. Not a problem if you provide equipment through the company, but if you're expecting staff to use their own devices, make sure you know what they're using.

On this page, the best softphone apps that work on both Android and iOS include RingCentral, Counterpath Bria, ZoiPer and 3CXPhone.

Some softphone apps are platform specific. It's not too surprising to learn that one of our recommended apps, iSoftPhone, only works on Apple devices, so it's even more important to make sure you're selecting an app that the majority of your staff can use.

Moving Forward with VoIP Softphone Apps

If you’re really interested in utilizing a VoIP Softphone app, these reviews can only get you so far. While all this research certainly helps, you’re going to need all the information available before making a decision – and that means understanding exactly how much it will cost your business.

Fortunately, we've provided you with a handy price quote form that can help you get the full picture of what these apps offer and how much you're going to have to pay.

Tech.co is reader-supported. Using Tech.co's comparison form, you can receive quotes from various suppliers, tailored to the needs of your business. If you enter into a contract with a provider, we may receive a payment for the introduction. Equally, if you make a purchase through the links on our site, we may earn a commission from the retailers of the products we have reviewed. This helps Tech.co to provide free advice and reviews. It carries no additional cost to you, and doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

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