VoIP SOFTPHONE vs. HARD PHONE
River Telecoms & Energy
Leading the way in Telecoms and Energy by finding our Customers the best fit approach for their business needs
Which Type of Hosted Phone System Should You Use??
By now, you’ve probably heard of the communications technology: VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).?
While some businesses are just discovering it, VoIP has been around since 1995 and is popular worldwide. In the UK, VoIP phone systems dominate the market due to the nationwide ISDN Switch Off. Soon, we’ll only make calls over VoIP, with analogue phones coming to a complete halt.
A hosted phone system is incredibly adaptable - you can have it right at your desk as a hard phone or on the go as a softphone. This article will review these types of VoIP phones and help you determine which is best for your business.?
What Is a VoIP Softphone??
A softphone is a software-based phone that requires no hardware to make or receive calls. Sometimes called a ‘virtual phone’, this software is installed on any device compatible with VoIP technology.
Calls will come through to your phone, laptop, computer or tablet on a user interface that resembles a typical handset. Examples of VoIP softphones include our cloud solution, which includes features like voicemail, call recording, auto-attendant and personalised messages.
What Is a VoIP Hard Phone?
A VoIP hard phone looks like a traditional hard-wired or cordless desk phone. It is hardware-based, so you’ll need to connect the phone to your broadband network to make calls.??
VoIP hard phone systems have all the features you know and love from an analogue phone. It comes with a handheld receiver, buttons and a screen, which is often touchscreen for ease of use.?
VoIP Softphone vs. Hardphone: Which Is Better??
The type of VoIP phone system you choose depends on your business needs. If you think it is time to upgrade your phone, consider these factors when comparing both:?
COST?
A hosted VoIP phone system can save up to 60% off your monthly rental bill, whether software- or hardware-based. A hard phone will, however, cost more as hardware will need to be installed, along with ongoing maintenance. A softphone only includes licensing and service fees.?
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FLEXIBILITY?
A softphone is designed for a flexible workforce. You can answer calls anywhere, whereas hard phones are fixed to your desk.?
FEATURES?
If you want the simplicity of a traditional phone, a VoIP hard phone covers everything you need. VoIP softphones offer features that’ll enhance customer experience and team collaboration.?
With our cloud solution, you can integrate a unified communications tool that offers additional features like video conferences, instant messaging and online monitoring.?
SCALABILITY
A VoIP softphone system is easy to deploy, maintain and scale. As your business grows, you can simply add new users to the system. For fixed handsets, you’ll need to invest in more hardware and spend time installing it across locations.??
ONBOARDING
21.7 million working-age adults can’t complete everyday digital tasks needed for today’s workplace. With this shocking digital skills gap, a software-based phone could be a learning curve. A VoIP hard phone allows your employees to work with a system they’ve always relied on.??
Switch to a Hosted Phone System Today
Whether you want a VoIP softphone, hard phone or both, we can get your business communications in order.?
We’ve already helped hundreds of businesses migrate their communications to the cloud, so contact us today, and we’ll get you started.?