A softphone is a software program that allows users to make telephone calls over the internet using a general-purpose computer or mobile device instead of dedicated hardware. It can be installed on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device and behaves like a traditional telephone, sometimes appearing as an image of a handset with a display panel and buttons with which the user can interact. Softphones can be used with a headset connected to the sound card of the computer or with a USB phone.
Softphones have all standard telephony features such as Do Not Disturb, Mute, DTMF, Flash, Hold, and Transfer, and often additional features typical for online messaging, such as user presence, team messaging, SMS, and video calling. Softphones can also offer useful insights and tools to work faster and more conveniently, such as visual voicemail management, call recording, and notifications about incoming calls with rich information about the caller.
Softphones are flexible and far easier to scale to business needs than hardphones. They dont require any physical hardware as they use an internet connection to make voice calls, and some support video calls. Softphones can be installed on multiple devices, allowing users to take their work phone with them wherever they go. Softphones can be used to make local or international calls using the internet, which can save businesses money.
