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| Photo by Irita Kirsbluma |
Which softphone y'all role may depend largely on why y'all desire to role a softphone inwards the showtime place. For example, if y'all are looking for an alternative to FOP (Flash Operator Panel) thus I would propose the splendid Dialplate application, but if y'all are only a normal desktop user looking for a inexpensive way to brand role of your company's existing VOIP infrastructure, thus accept a expression at these.
When comparison features I volition exclusively last looking at the features available inwards the gratis version, too non the premium ane where applicable.
1. Zoiper
For a long time, Zoiper has been my weapon of pick a position out of reasons. It is a good established advert inwards the VOIP/Softphone arena too has splendid support.
Review Version 3.7.30891 32Bit
Interface
The default peel that comes amongst Zoiper really dark, which I don't personally like. There are nonetheless iv skins included, which includes a low-cal version of the default skin. With the default peel Zoiper has departed from the traditional approach of trying to mimic a desk phone. I personally honey this, since traditional phones were designed to last operated amongst fatty fingers punching bulky buttons, too that is non necessarily the best approach for a softphone. If y'all prefer a to a greater extent than traditional interface, Zoiper's powerful skinning organization makes room for to a greater extent than a conventional approach.
Menu options are fairly straightforward, too advanced features are non obfuscated behind complex carte du jour structures.
Useability
From starting installation to making my showtime VOIP telephone vociferation upwardly took less than 5 minutes. Configuration was elementary too quick too everything was where y'all would expression it to be. Since the default peel is optimized for role on a computer, rather than trying to emulate a desk phone, I was really pleased amongst how chop-chop I could access my recent calls, contacts too anything else I needed.
Features
Apart from the touchstone base of operations set of features, Zoiper provides the next additional features that tin last quite useful:
- Echo cancellation
- Automatic gain control
- Noise suppression
- HID Headsets
- Video Calling
- Windows Contacts Integration
- Built inwards contacts directory
- IAX Account
- XMMP Chat
Pros
- Lightweight
- Skinnable
- IAX Account
- Multi-Platform
Cons
- No G722 support
- Recording, transfer too conferencing considered "Premium"
- Cost of Premium same every bit entry bird desk phones
2. X-Lite
X-Lite is the babe blood brother of Counterpath's splendid Bria Softphone, too y'all tin definitely run across the pedigree reflected inwards the gratis version.
Review Version 8.4.3
Interface
First impression is that it is a really construct clean too sleek looking interface. The ads at the bottom of the original interface are a fleck distracting, but considering that it is a gratis production I can't actually complain. The ads are also designed to compliment the interface rather than clash amongst it.
Unlike Zoiper, X-Lite has no skinning options (that I could easily find), but I was extremely impressed amongst the interface every bit is, since it is sleek, non overly nighttime or low-cal too has a pleasing apartment appearance mutual since Windows 8 introduced the Metro Interface. It also does non movement to last a deskphone simulator, which I similar a lot.
Useablility
The download was quite large, too the servers seemed ho-hum when I was downloading, thus it took me longer than I would accept liked to instruct it going, but in ane lawsuit it was installed, setup was a breeze. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 link on the original window took me to where I needed to last to prepare the account. Account setup was straightforward too had me chatting away inside seconds. The inclusion of the G722 codec agency that the lineament of the vocalization telephone vociferation upwardly was superb, but practise Federal Reserve notation that this is subject on having a provider that supports G722 every bit good every bit adequate network bandwidth to back upwardly a wideband good call.
The contacts page is good set out, too allows for contact grouping every bit good every bit setting favourite contacts. X-Lite also allows slowly retrieval of voicemail if supported past times your provider.
Features
- G722 Support
- Video Calls
- 3-Way Conference
Pros
- Beautiful default interface
- Ease of use
- 3-Way Conference
- G722 Support
Cons
- Advertisements
- Call transfer non supported
- Expensive upgrade path
- No Skinning
- Only Windows/Osx
3. MicroSIP
MicroSIP is a fully opened upwardly origin softphone, too if Zoiper tin last considered light, the MicroSIP is nearly weightless. Built on the extremely stable PJSIP stack that is used inwards Asterisk itself,
Review Version: 3.10.1
Interface
For only about argue it seems that interface designers are non neat on contributing to opened upwardly origin projects (with a few exceptions). MicroSIP's interface is strictly utilitarian, which is non necessarily a bad thing. It is what allows it to last every bit lightweight every bit it is, too despite existence quite bland, it remains really usable.
Usability
What MicroSIP lacks inwards beauty, it makes upwardly for past times existence easily the best documented production inwards the list. Every configuration choice is accompanied past times a piffling link taking y'all to the MicroSIP aid site that explains the choice inwards detail. Configuration is non a occupation either, too the simplicity of the computer program agency that naught is difficult to find. Contact back upwardly is basic, bordering on spartan, but remais useable.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Vast codec support
- Simple interface
- Open Source
- Portable
Cons
- Very basic interface
- No Transfer or Conference
- No voicemail integration
Conclusion too Comparison Matrix
| G729 | G722 | Conference | Skinnable | Voicemail | IAX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoiper | O | O | O | X | X | X |
| X-Lite | O | X | X | O | X | X |
| MicroSIP | X | X | O | O | O | O |
Having been a stalwart Zoiper user, I accept no compelling argue to change. I similar the G729 back upwardly inwards MicroSIP too I similar the interface of X-Lite, but neither of those are plenty for me to restrain send only yet,
