Why Use a SIP Softphone on Android?
A SIP softphone transforms your Android device into a full-featured business phone. Instead of carrying a separate desk phone or being tied to your office, you can make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cost Savings
Use your existing mobile data or WiFi instead of cellular minutes. International calls cost a fraction of traditional rates.
One Number, Any Device
Your business phone number rings on your desk phone, computer, and mobile simultaneously.
Remote Work Ready
Work from home, coffee shops, or while traveling. Stay connected to your PBX system anywhere.
Professional Features
Call transfer, hold, conference calling, and voicemail - all on your smartphone.
Mobile vs Desktop: Android softphones face unique challenges like battery optimization, push notifications for incoming calls, and varying network conditions. The best apps handle these gracefully while maintaining call quality.
Best Free Android Softphones
These apps offer excellent SIP functionality without any cost. Perfect for testing or users who do not need advanced features.
Oliphone
Best Overall Free Option
A powerful open-source SIP client with excellent codec support and push notification capabilities. Supports multiple accounts, TLS/SRTP encryption, and has a clean modern interface.
Oliphone Lite
Lightweight & Battery Friendly
A stripped-down version focused on minimal battery consumption. Ideal for users who primarily receive calls and want the app running in the background without draining battery.
Linphone
Open Source & Cross-Platform
Fully open-source SIP client that works identically across Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Great for organizations that need consistent behavior across all platforms.
Oliphone+
Free Tier with Premium Features
Offers a generous free tier with one SIP account, basic push notifications, and standard codecs. Upgrade to unlock multiple accounts and HD voice codecs.
Best Paid Options
Paid apps typically offer better push notification reliability, priority support, and advanced features like call recording or CRM integration.
Oliphone Pro
Best for Business Users
The professional version with guaranteed push notifications, HD voice codecs (Opus, G.722), call recording, and 24/7 support. Perfect for business users who cannot miss incoming calls.
Oliphone+ Premium
Multi-Account Power User
Upgrade from the free tier to unlock unlimited SIP accounts, advanced push notifications, HD codecs, and contact sync with your CRM systems.
Oliphone Enterprise
MDM & Mass Deployment
Enterprise-grade solution with MDM integration, remote provisioning, centralized management console, and custom branding options for large deployments.
Feature Comparison Table
| App | Price | Push | TLS/SRTP | Accounts | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliphone | Free | Yes | Yes | Multiple | Power users, free option |
| Oliphone Lite | Free | Yes | Basic | 1 | Battery-conscious users |
| Linphone | Free | Limited | Yes | Multiple | Cross-platform consistency |
| Oliphone+ | Freemium | Yes | Yes | 1 (free) | Try before you buy |
| Oliphone Pro | $4.99/mo | Guaranteed | Yes | Unlimited | Business critical calls |
| Oliphone+ Premium | $2.99/mo | Yes | Yes | Unlimited | Multi-account users |
Codec Note: For best audio quality on mobile networks, look for apps that support the Opus codec. It adapts to network conditions and provides excellent quality even on 4G/5G connections.
Battery & Data Usage Tips
SIP apps can drain battery if not configured properly. Here is how to optimize your Android softphone for all-day use.
Use Push Notifications
Apps with push support do not need to maintain a constant connection. The server wakes the app only when a call arrives, saving significant battery.
Disable Battery Optimization
Go to Settings > Apps > Your SIP App > Battery > Unrestricted. This prevents Android from killing the app in the background.
WiFi vs Mobile Data
WiFi uses less battery than cellular data. When on WiFi, a typical call uses about 0.5-1 MB per minute with G.711 codec.
Choose Efficient Codecs
Opus and G.729 use less bandwidth than G.711. On limited data plans, these codecs can reduce usage by 80%.
Estimated Data Usage Per Hour of Calling
| Codec | Bitrate | Data/Hour | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.711 (ulaw/alaw) | 64 kbps | ~30 MB | Excellent |
| G.722 (HD Voice) | 64 kbps | ~30 MB | HD Quality |
| Opus | 6-128 kbps | ~3-60 MB | Adaptive |
| G.729 | 8 kbps | ~4 MB | Good |
Configuring for IPComms SIP Trunk
Setting up your Android softphone with IPComms is straightforward. Use these settings to connect your app to our SIP service.
IPComms SIP Settings
| Setting | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SIP Server | sip.ipcomms.net | Primary server |
| Username | Your SIP username | From portal |
| Password | Your SIP password | From portal |
| Auth Username | Same as username | If required |
| Transport | TLS (recommended) | Or UDP/TCP |
| Port | 5061 (TLS) / 5060 (UDP) | Default ports |
| Codecs | G.711 ulaw, Opus | Priority order |
| SRTP | Enabled | With TLS transport |
NAT Traversal: Most Android softphones handle NAT automatically. If you experience one-way audio, enable STUN in your app settings. IPComms provides STUN servers at stun.ipcomms.net.
Quick Setup Steps
- 1 Download your chosen softphone from the Google Play Store
- 2 Open the app and navigate to Account or SIP Settings
- 3 Enter your IPComms credentials from the customer portal
- 4 Enable TLS transport and SRTP for encrypted calls
- 5 Save and verify the registration status shows "Connected"
Push Notifications & Background Mode
Push notifications are essential for receiving calls when your app is not actively running. Without push, your phone must maintain a constant SIP connection, draining battery.
How Push Works
- 1. Call arrives at your SIP server
- 2. Server sends push notification via Firebase
- 3. Android wakes your softphone app
- 4. App registers and receives the call
- 5. Your phone rings normally
Common Issues
- Battery optimization killing the app
- Doze mode blocking notifications
- App not whitelisted for background
- Push server not configured on PBX
- Network restrictions in some regions
Android Settings for Reliable Push
Disable Battery Optimization
Settings > Apps > [Your SIP App] > Battery > Unrestricted
Allow Background Activity
Settings > Apps > [Your SIP App] > Mobile data & WiFi > Allow background data
Disable Adaptive Battery (if issues persist)
Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery > Off (affects all apps)
Manufacturer Variations: Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and other manufacturers have additional battery optimization settings. Search "[Your Phone Brand] keep app running in background" for specific instructions.
Our Top Pick
Oliphone Pro
Best overall for Android SIP calling in 2026
For most users, Oliphone Pro offers the best combination of reliability, features, and value. The guaranteed push notifications mean you will never miss an incoming call, even when your phone has been idle for hours.
If you are on a budget, Oliphone (free) is an excellent alternative that handles most use cases. For enterprise deployments requiring MDM integration and centralized management, consider Oliphone Enterprise.
Free Users
Oliphone or Linphone
Business Users
Oliphone Pro
Enterprise
Oliphone Enterprise
Try IPComms with Your Android Softphone
Get a free test trunk and DID. Connect your favorite Android SIP app to our service and make test calls in minutes.