VoIP softphones or hardphones: Which is better?

Posted on Wednesday July 20, 2022

Are you thinking about installing a new business phone system or upgrading your existing one? If you are, you have the choice between VoIP softphones and hardphones. But which one is better? This article will tackle the differences between the two types of VoIP phones and which one your business should get.

VoIP Softphones

Softphones are apps or programs that let you send and receive phone calls and text messages using a computer, tablet, or smartphone connected to the internet. Using softphones come with the following benefits:

1. Cost savings Softphones can be installed directly on your computer or mobile device. This eliminates the costs of additional telephony hardware, setup, support, and maintenance that’s often included in hardphones.

2. Mobility Unlike hardphones, softphones don’t need to be connected to cables. You can send and receive calls and text messages in areas with good internet connectivity. This is the perfect solution for workers who are always on the go.

3. Easy to upgrade Softphones are packed with features such as voicemail, one-touch dialing, personalized greetings, and more. You can easily access newer features through software updates. With hardphones, on the other hand, you’ll need to purchase newer models to access the latest features.

VoIP Hardphones

VoIP hardphones resemble traditional desk phones, but instead of using analog phone lines, they rely on the internet to make and receive calls. VoIP hardphones also come with various features not found on traditional telephones, such as call monitoring, auto attendants, and video calls, to name a few. Here are the benefits of using VoIP hardphones.

1. Easy to use Because they look and function like traditional phones, VoIP hardphones are generally easy to use. Softphones are software-based, so some training may be required for users to become familiar with a softphone’s features.

2. Better call quality Unlike softphones, hardphones don’t have to compete with other programs for computing resources. This can reduce a softphone’s performance and negatively affect call quality.

3. Better uptime and stability Hardphones won’t run into too many issues as long as your internet connection is stable. Since softphones run on your computer or mobile devices, if you encounter problems operating them, you won’t be able to use your softphone. Also, if your laptop or mobile device runs out of battery, calls on the softphone will also be cut.

Both VoIP softphones and hardphones offer a variety of benefits, so choosing which is best for your business comes down to your needs and preferences. If you want to learn more about VoIP phones, get in touch with our experts now.