Software Based VoIP Services

This type of service is the most common among VoIP users, and this is what has popularised the use of VoIP in the world. Software based VoIP services are available to people in all countries, unlike subscription/hardware based services, which are available mainly to people of a country or locality.

Software-based services are also free, mostly when they involve PC-to-PC communication on the Internet. You only have to download the application (called a softphone) and install it on your machine, register for a free account, and with earphones or speakers and microphone, talk to other people using the same service on their computers for free. No need to mention the tons of others features, including video conferencing in some, that come along.

With this type of service, users either install a softphone application on their computers or portable devices, or make calls through the service provider's web-based interface.

These services are mostly free, depending on the way you use them. In most of them, if you use one service through a softphone installed on your computer or portable device to communicate with another person using the same service on their machine, there is absolutely nothing to pay, whatever the destination, local or international. However, when making calls to and receiving calls from fixed (PSTN) and mobile (GSM) phones, the service is no longer free, but the rates are very cheap. Other (web-based) services offer a certain amount of free calling minutes. Past these, cheap rates apply.

Typical users - People who don't want to pay for VoIP communication. Starters who want to get acquainted to calling over the Internet. Chatters who want to voice-up their experience. Softphones are also a great way for meeting other people online, and therefore make an important social networking tool. This is the best way of communication with people locally and internationally for free.

Pros:

• Softphones are free of charge to download, install and use, as long as calls are made to other people using the same service.
• International calls are also free, to all destinations.
• It is quick and easy to get started using a softphone.
• You can create and delete any number of accounts you wish.
• Any person living in any place worldwide can register for and use these services.
• Some softphones also have voicemail and video-conferencing capabilities.

Cons:

• It requires the use of a computer, which makes it less handy for homes and business phone systems.
• The free service allows calling only people who are using the same service with a computer. Calls to and from phones are charged.
• Call quality is not always as good as with a hardware-based service.
• Softphones are more vulnerable to spamming and other security threats.