The move away from traditional landlines is a growing trend, with countries like the US and Canada phasing out old wired phone systems.
In 2017, the FCC set the stage for this transition, and businesses – like the office of Ontario’s Finance Minister in 2018 – have already embraced more efficient solutions.
The challenge, however, lies in finding a secure, stable, and cost-effective replacement for traditional wired phones, and softphones are emerging as the ideal solution.
A softphone is a software-based phone that enables users to make and receive calls over the internet. Perfect for small businesses, they’re affordable, easy to setup, and packed with powerful features.
Still not convinced? The best part is that softphones come in various applications and pricing ranges, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your business needs.
Let’s take a closer look at your options!
The best softphone apps for businesses
To fully enjoy all the benefits, like easy setup – simply downloading the app, logging in with your VoIP service credentials, and you’re ready to go! – choosing the right softphone app is crucial.
It can make a significant difference for businesses aiming to improve their communication systems. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a remote team, it provides the tools you need to stay connected in real-time.
Below, we’ve highlighted the top softphone apps for 2025 to help you make the best choice.
- Voip.ms Softphone
- Acrobits
- Bria
- Linphone
- Zoiper
VoIP.ms Softphone
VoIp.ms recently launched its own softphone, an easy to use, free mobile app for Android. Known for being one of the most reliable VoIP providers in Canada, the app integrates smoothly with customers’ accounts and phone numbers, and allows access to features like Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Recording and SMS.
- Who’s It For: Residential customers, businesses of all sizes and resellers looking for an affordable and versatile solution to unify their communication systems.
- Best Known For: Free push notifications that notify customers of incoming calls and texts even if the app is closed – usually a paid offer for most softphones!
- Key Features: Caller ID, Voicemail, Call Recording and SMS, as well as VoIP.ms’ five-star customer support for troubleshooting.
Acrobits
Acrobits has been a leader in softphone solutions since 2009, offering robust options like their Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) “Groundwire,” tailored for business use. It enables users to make voice and video calls.
- Who’s It For: Businesses seeking customizable softphone solutions.
- Best Known For: Secure Call with ZRTP ciphering algorithms (a cryptographic key-agreement protocol) and white-label customization options.
- Key Features: Push notifications for calls and messaging (when connected to Wi-Fi networks), video conferencing support, transfer and attended transfer, call forwarding, and secure calling.
Bria
Bria, a longstanding player in the SIP softphone market, offers solutions like Bria Solo and Bria Teams, making it ideal for businesses that prioritize collaboration and ease of use.
- Who’s It For: Corporate environments requiring team collaboration and integration with existing tools.
- Best Known For: Team messaging, video conferencing, and screen-sharing functionalities.
- Key Features: Integration with Mac Address Book, Microsoft Outlook, and leading PBX systems like Asterisk.
Linphone
Linphone supports audio and video calls and integrates easily with VoIP Softswitches or IP PBX systems. While setup may require technical knowledge, extensive documentation and community forums are available for support.
- Who’s It For: Tech-skilled users and businesses seeking open-source flexibility.
- Best Known For: Open-source SIP softphone solution with community-driven support.
- Key Feature: Compatibility with Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Zoiper
Zoiper is a versatile softphone app that minimizes the learning curve while offering robust functionality for diverse VoIP needs. It comes in different versions, such as Classic and Communicator.
- Who’s It For: Residential and business users prioritizing ease of use and multi-platform support.
- Best Known For: User-friendly interface and advanced features like client branding and API interaction.
- Key Features: Software Development Kit (SDK) solutions for developers and seamless integration across iOS, Android, and desktop platforms.
How to Choose a VoIP Softphone App
With so many options, it still may be confusing to know which VoIP softphone app is better for your business. This choice involves several factors, such as set up, cost, integration tools, among others.
These are the key aspects to evaluate when making your decision:
- Ease of Setup: How quickly can you get started? Some softphones, like Linphone, require more technical expertise, while others—such as the VoIP.ms Softphone—offer a more intuitive, user-friendly experience. Choose based on your team’s technical comfort to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
- Feature Set: Does it offer the features you need, like video conferencing, team messaging, screen sharing, and high-quality call performance? Additionally, consider security requirements, like encryption, secure calling protocols, and compliance with company standards, to ensure safe and reliable communications.
- Compatibility: The right softphone for your business should seamlessly integrate with your existing VoIP service provider, PBX system, CRM, or productivity apps. It should also support all your devices—including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Another critical factor to analyze is whether the chosen softphone fits your budget while still meeting all your requirements.
Key advanced features to look out for
Now, let’s organize all the features that your softphone must have, so you can make a checklist when choosing the right one for your business phone system:
- Core Features
✔ High-quality voice/video calls
✔ Call recording for compliance, training, or record-keeping (especially for call centers)
✔ Voicemail + Voicemail transcription
✔ SMS/MMS messaging
✔ Conference calling
- Business & Productivity Tools
✔ Screen sharing
✔ Team chat/instant messaging
✔ CRM/PBX integration
✔ Auto-attendant & call routing /call transfer
- Security & Compliance
✔ End-to-end encryption (ZRTP/SRTP protocols)
✔ Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
✔ Compliance
- Usability & Flexibility
✔ Cross-platform support (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux)
✔ Intuitive interface, with minimal training required)
- Advanced VoIP Features
✔ Push notifications for missed calls or message alerts
✔ Call analytics & reporting
✔ Auto-answer for customizable workflows
| Tip: For small businesses, focus on cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and core features. For enterprises, prioritize security, compliance, and integrations. And for remote teams, emphasize collaboration tools! |
VoIP Softphones vs Hardphones: What’s the Difference?
When choosing between VoIP softphones and hardphones (also known as desk phones), it’s essential to understand their key differences to determine which solution best fits your business needs. Below is a comparative table highlighting the main distinctions:
| Feature | VoIP Softphones | Hardphones |
| Hardware Requirements | Requires only a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. | Requires a physical IP phone device. |
| Portability | Highly portable; can be used anywhere with an internet connection. | Limited to the location of the physical device. |
| Setup Complexity | Easy to set up; often just requires downloading an app. | May require physical installation and configuration. |
| Cost | Typically more cost-effective; no additional hardware needed. | Higher upfront cost due to the purchase of physical devices. |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible; supports multiple devices and platforms. | Limited to the specific device it’s installed on. |
| Features | Offers advanced features like video conferencing, messaging, and screen sharing. | Focuses on core calling features; fewer advanced options. |
| Integration | Easily integrates with other software. | Limited integration capabilities. |
| Maintenance | Software updates are automatic and easy to manage. | Requires manual updates and maintenance. |
By understanding these differences, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and communication needs.
Choosing the Best Softphone for Your Business
Selecting the ideal softphone for your business involves carefully balancing essential features, robust security, intuitive usability, and budget considerations.
The leading solutions listed above stand out in 2025 by delivering powerful VoIP capabilities, from HD calling and advanced features to CRM integrations and end-to-end encryption.
Small businesses should prioritize core features like exceptional call quality, SMS/MMS messaging, and voicemail transcription, while keeping ease of use.
Larger enterprises, on the other hand, need to focus on advanced security measures including encryption protocols and compliance certifications, along with sophisticated PBX integrations.
Ready to upgrade your business communications? Download our app today and experience an upgrade for calling features with simplicity!
FAQ
What is a softphone app?
A softphone is a software application that lets you make and receive phone calls over the internet without traditional hardware. It transforms devices like computers, smartphones, or tablets into fully functional business phones with features like HD calling, video conferencing, SMS/MMS, and CRM integrations.
How does a softphone work?
Softphones use your internet connection to route calls via cloud-based VoIP technology. They connect to your SIP provider or PBX system, enabling advanced call features like call recording, voicemail, IVR (Digital Receptionist) and call transcription.
What is the best softphone for a small business?
For small businesses, you may consider user-friendly interfaces, affordability, and essential features like call quality, SMS, and voicemail to set up and improve your call management. If you need advanced collaboration tools, choose an app with great scalability.
Need a recommendation? Download the VoIP.ms Softphone! Our softphone is hassle-free and fully integrate with our VoIP services and products to create a unified communication system. Available for Android.