What is a Softphone?
A softphone is a software application that acts as a SIP phone. Instead of a physical desk phone, you use your computer or mobile device with a headset. Softphones register to your Asterisk PBX just like a hardware phone would.
Desktop
Windows, Mac, Linux apps
Mobile
iOS and Android apps
WebRTC
Browser-based, no install
Free Softphone Comparison
| Softphone | Platforms | TLS/SRTP | Video | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linphone | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Yes | Yes | Cross-platform, open source |
| MicroSIP | Windows | Yes | No | Lightweight, minimal |
| Zoiper (Free) | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Paid only | Paid | User-friendly, polished UI |
| 3CX Web Client | Win/Mac/Linux/iOS/Android | Yes | Yes | 3CX PBX integration |
| Grandstream Wave Lite | iOS/Android | Yes | No | Mobile-first, simple |
1. Linphone (Best Overall Free Option)
Linphone is fully open-source and works on every platform. It supports TLS, SRTP, and video calling out of the box with no paid upgrades needed.
Pros
- Fully free and open source
- All platforms including Linux
- TLS + SRTP encryption
- Video calls and messaging
- Multiple accounts
Cons
- UI not as polished as paid apps
- Can be complex to configure
- Push notifications unreliable on mobile
2. MicroSIP (Best for Windows)
MicroSIP is an ultra-lightweight Windows softphone. The installer is under 10 MB and it uses minimal system resources. Perfect for call center agents or users who just need voice calling.
Pros
- Tiny footprint (< 10 MB)
- Starts in seconds
- TLS/SRTP support
- Open source
- No bloat or unnecessary features
Cons
- Windows only
- No video calling
- Basic UI (functional but plain)
- No mobile version
3. Zoiper Free (Best UI)
Zoiper has the most polished user interface of the free options. The free version supports one SIP account with basic calling. TLS/SRTP and some advanced features require the paid version.
Pros
- Clean, intuitive interface
- All platforms
- Good audio quality
- Contact integration
- Easy to set up
Cons
- TLS/SRTP requires paid ($50)
- Only 1 account in free version
- Nag screens for paid features
- No video in free version
WebRTC: No Install Needed
If you do not want to install any software, WebRTC softphones run directly in your browser. IPComms offers a built-in WebRTC phone in the customer portal:
IPComms WebRTC Phone
- No software to install - works in Chrome, Firefox, Edge
- Encrypted by default (WSS + SRTP)
- Click-to-call from the portal
- Works alongside your Asterisk system
Asterisk WebRTC: You can also configure Asterisk as a WebRTC server using the built-in HTTP server and WebSocket transport. See our trunk setup guide for WebSocket transport configuration.
Setting Up a Softphone with Asterisk
Regardless of which softphone you choose, the configuration is similar. You need these settings from your Asterisk administrator:
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SIP Server | your-asterisk-ip | Or domain name |
| Username | 101 | Your extension number |
| Password | (from admin) | Extension secret |
| Transport | UDP or TLS | TLS recommended |
| Port | 5060 or 5061 | 5061 for TLS |
| Codec | G.711 ulaw | Best quality |
Remote Users: If the softphone is outside your office network, ensure your Asterisk firewall allows the user's IP, or set up a VPN. Never expose Asterisk port 5060 to the entire internet.
Try IPComms with Any Softphone
Get a free test trunk and DID. Connect your favorite softphone to our SIP service and make test calls in minutes.