VoIP Tools: Softphones & Hardphones, the basic differences

When talking about VoIP, you should know what are Softphones and Hardphones. Basically, they are devices that accepts your voice/audio inputs and delivers outputs as well.

Softphones are those VoIP software applications provided by your VoIP service provider. For instance, we can have Skype, Talkety, and Gizmodo as softphones. Other that the mentioned softphones, we have XLite by Counterpath . I have tried using XLite when I was required by our office to do private calls using our SIP networks . Well, we now know that Softphones are software; allowing you to make VoIP calls directly from your desktop screens. Of course, you need speakers and microphones to do the call. Once you are connected to a TCP/IP network, then most probably you can have that Softphone worked and start making calls.

Hardphones are like the regular landline phone set we have; the physical phone with dialing pads and a small screen. They are sometimes referred to as IP Phones. They are usually connected to some devices like router, hub or specialized modem. Some notable sellers of hardphones in the market today are Skype Phones, Netgears WiFi Phones, Broadcom IP Phones, Polycom, and Vonage V-Phone. In addition to that, there are many independent sellers of IP Phones in the market for you to choose from. Try also to ask your ISP provider if they have VoIP service bundled with any of their plans, maybe they have their IP Phones as well.

More likely, you now know what’s the basic difference between the two and in simple differentiation: softphones are software-based while hardphones are hardware-based. Easy!