Softphone: what is it and how does it work?
- A softphone is software that turns a computer or mobile into a phone.
- It replaces the physical handset: you call with a headset, from the browser or an app.
- It's the simplest way to use a VoIP number as a team, with no hardware.
A softphone (from "software phone") is software that turns your computer, tablet or mobile into a business phone. Instead of a physical handset, you make and receive calls through an interface, with a simple headset. It's the most common way to use VoIP today.
The softphone is the piece that makes IP telephony concrete. No hardware, no landline: your device becomes your business phone, wherever you have internet.
How does a softphone work?
It connects to a telecom provider over the internet and uses your mic and speakers (or headset) for calls. When you dial a number, the softphone sets up the call over VoIP. On reception, it rings your device. Everything goes through the software, with no phone hardware.
A softphone is software that sets up VoIP calls over the internet using the device's mic and speakers. It replaces the physical phone: a computer or mobile with a headset becomes a full business extension, able to call, receive, transfer and handle messages.
What are the benefits over a physical phone?
The softphone removes hardware cost and constraint. You don't buy a handset, install nothing, and take your business number everywhere. For a team, everyone shares the same number from their own device, with a common inbox.
- Zero hardware: no handset to buy or maintain; your computer or mobile is enough.
- Mobility: your business number follows you, at the office, home, on the move.
- Software features: forwarding, transcription, shared inbox, built right in.
That's exactly what Relay does: a softphone in the browser, connected to your telecom account, so your team calls and texts with no hardware.
Good habit: use a headset with mic rather than built-in speakers. It's the small detail that takes a softphone from "acceptable" to "excellent" call quality.
Compared to a physical phone, a softphone removes hardware purchase and upkeep, makes the business number accessible anywhere, and builds in software features (forwarding, transcription, shared inbox). For a team, everyone uses the same number from their own device, with no dedicated extension.