softclients

A softclient, or soft client, is a software-based end-user application that enables voice, video, messaging, and collaboration over a network. Unlike traditional hardware IP phones, softclients run on general-purpose devices such as personal computers, tablets, and smartphones and rely on a microphone, speakers, or a headset for audio.

In VoIP and unified communications, softclients use signaling protocols such as SIP or H.323 to establish and control sessions. They connect to VoIP servers, PBXs, or cloud services and can deliver desk-phone level features including call control, presence, call transfer, voicemail, conferencing, and instant messaging. Some softclients are web-based and require no installation, while others are installed applications.

Common use cases include remote and mobile workers, bring-your-own-device programs, and contact centers seeking to extend telephony and collaboration to software clients. Benefits include lower equipment costs, easier deployment, and centralized management. Drawbacks can include dependence on network quality, security considerations, and the need for ongoing device management and software updates to ensure interoperability with other systems.

Standards and security considerations typically involve SIP with TLS for signaling and SRTP for media encryption, helping protect conversations from eavesdropping. Interoperability depends on codec support, feature parity, and vendor-specific extensions, which can affect integration with other communication tools and platforms.

Examples of softclients range from consumer or small-business offerings such as Linphone, Zoiper, and Bria, to enterprise-grade clients like Cisco Jabber and Microsoft Teams, which provide softphone functionality within broader collaboration environments.