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Home > Softphones

Compare the Best VoIP Softphones of 2026

A softphone is a phone that runs on your computer as a program. In order to use a softphone, you will need a VoIP service provider (like the one of the ones below) and you will need a VoIP headset (or a microphone and speakers).

A softphone is a cheap (or can be free!) alternative to an IP phone or an ATA adapter.

Find out how much you can save today on Business VoIP

Compare top Business VoIP providers in the table below

Image VoipPreview
Provider Plan Features Rate/min. Trial Period Setup Fees Monthly Fees Details
RATED #1 BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS
  • Includes 100+ Premium Features
  • Unlimited Calling, Faxing, SMS, Conferencing
  • Trusted by over 350,000 Businesses
As low as, per month/user

$0.00

14 day trial available to new subscribers

Free

$ 19.99 /mo. *

Get Quote!
Smarter VoIP. Rated #1 in Customer Support
  • All-in-one phone, fax, SMS & chat
  • Free porting & zero setup fees
  • Work on any device, anywhere
Price based on a min. 12-month contract.

$0.00

-

Free

$ 18.00 /mo. *

Get Quote!
Business phone service - no internet required
  • Not internet-based – more reliable than VoIP
  • Desk phones, mobile app, and desktop app included
  • 5-minute set-up
8.3% discount if paid for the year upfront

$0.00

30 days

Free

$ 17.41 /mo. *

Get Quote!
Alliance Phones
  • Simple set-up in less than 30 minutes
  • Efficient daily call report
  • Easy-to-use control panel
12% discount for subscribing and paying for a year upfront.

$0.00

30 days

Free

$ 19.97 /mo. *

Get Quote!
The phone system built to do business anywhere
  • Video Meetings & Text Messaging
  • Call Forwarding & Routing
  • Desktop, Mobile, & Web Apps
$5 per additional user

$0.00

-

Free

$ 19.00 /mo. *

Get Quote!
Get 99.99% network reliability with Fios.
  • Business Digital Voice
  • 1-year price guarantee
  • Unlimited data
Per month. Plus taxes, fees and equipment charges.

$0.00

-

Free

$ 69.00 /mo. *

Get Quote!
*Rates shown do not include E-911 charges, taxes, and surcharges. Most providers offering unlimited calling have restrictions and some rates shown are promotional rates based on term contracts or promotional periods. Be sure to read individual providers terms and conditions before you buy. Rates and features displayed for each provider have been sourced from provider's site and other online sources. While we strive to display current information, be sure to check directly with each provider as their plans, pricing, and features are subject to change.
Find out how much you can save today on Residential VoIP.

Compare top Residential VoIP providers in the table below

Image VoipPreview
Provider Plan Features Rate/min. Trial Period Setup Fees Monthly Fees Details
HOME PHONE SERVICE
  • Special: Save on hardware & low monthly rates!
  • No annual contracts, 30-day money back guarantee
  • Unlimited nationwide calling
*Not including taxes/fees + One-time hardware cost of $79.99

$0.00

30 days

Free

$ 11.99 /mo. *

Get Quote!
Traditional Home Phone Service
  • No internet required, works even during power outages.
  • Setup is plug and play, no technician required.
  • Unlimited local and long-distance calling.
Device contains a backup battery and is not designed to run without electricity indefinitely.

$0.00

30 days

$99.00

$ 32.50 /mo. *

Get Quote!
HOME PHONE SERVICE
  • Unlimited Calling and Free Adapter Included
  • No Contract or Cancellation Fee
  • Over 40 Included Features
$8.97 is monthly cost with 1-year prepay

$0.00

-

Free

$ 8.97 /mo. *

4.95

8 reviews

Get Quote!
Home Phone Service
  • Unlimited USA and Canada calling
  • Free hardware and activation
  • Money back guarantee, 30+ features
$6.25/mo. 1-year prepay equals $75.00/year

$0.00

15 days

Free

$ 6.25 /mo. *

4.25

75 reviews

Get Quote!
*Rates shown do not include E-911 charges, taxes, and surcharges. Most providers offering unlimited calling have restrictions and some rates shown are promotional rates based on term contracts or promotional periods. Be sure to read individual providers terms and conditions before you buy. Rates and features displayed for each provider have been sourced from provider's site and other online sources. While we strive to display current information, be sure to check directly with each provider as their plans, pricing, and features are subject to change.

Wrong.

IP phones and ATA adapters (analog telephone adapters) are hardware solutions that allow you to use VoIP. Because they're hardware, ATAs and IP phones require manual installation. They also cost money.

computer & mobile softphone

Why should I use a softphone?

With a softphone, you can make it easier to call people on your network for free.

Think about it: if people have to buy a phone, they may not get one. But if people use a softphone, which they can download for free... it makes it a lot easier to use the free in-network calling feature that so many VoIP providers offer.

CallCentric is one such business that has capitalized on the use of residential softphones. So long as you're using CallCentric and its IP Freedom plan, you can make calls for free.

Skype is also famous for its free network - all you have to do is download skype and you can talk to whomever you wish for free!

FYI: CallCentric and Skype do charge you per minute for any call that is off their network. Don't worry, though: they don't charge a lot.

Use a softphone when you travel

Travelling is one of the best times to use a softphone. Since you can install a softphone on your laptop computer, you can take access to your phone with you wherever you go: the geographic location doesn't matter. You keep your number and you can keep getting your calls.

Using a softphone like this is a way you can use Mobile VoIP.

Softphones are good for travelers and very small businesses.

Obviously, softphones are good for travelers. But, since they don't have a capital cost (or because the capital cost is very low), a softphone is a great choice for very small businesses.

1. A softphone can't always perform all the functions of desktop phone.

2. A softphone requires additional equipment (the headset, at least)

3. Your computer has to be on for you to use a softphone

4. Lower capital cost means fewer tax write-offs.

5. You don't actually have a phone. A softphone is software.

These disadvantages aside, a softphone is a good thing to have. It may not work as your primary phone, but it should work well if you're travelling or if you can't afford a brand-new phone right now.

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