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[+44 330 383 8000](tel:+443303838000 "+44 330 383 8000") ![](/images/getstarted-writetous-navbar-int_ZY7MOf.webp) ### Write to us Fill out our request form. Our experts will respond as soon as possible. [Write to us](/gb/request-information "Write to us") ### Softphones [What Is the Difference between a Softphone and a Traditional Phone Setup?](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/softphones#section-3) [What is the Difference Between a Softphone and an IP Phone?](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/softphones#section-4) [What are the Advantages of Softphones Compared to IP Phones?](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/softphones#section-5) # Softphones **What is a softphone?** Softphones are like virtual phones: they are software programs that allow you to make [voice-over internet protocol (VoIP)](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) calls over the Internet. This software can be installed on a PC, laptop, or mobile device. You can talk through a pair of headphones or from speaker phone on whatever device you have on hand. The user interface looks like a phone screen on a mobile phone, including controls like starting and ending the call and accessing the contacts list. There are several programs that provide users with virtual phones: * Cloudya, NFON’s [Cloud Telephone System](/gb/gb/products/cloudya) * [Nvoice for Microsoft teams](/gb/gb/products/integrations/microsoft-teams) ### Softphone ![](https://a.storyblok.com/f/290788/06bad84a46/softphone_01.png) ### What Is the Difference between a Softphone and a Traditional Phone Setup? The primary difference is in how the call connects to a caller: * Softphones use the Internet to make calls using cloud telephony, such as Cloudya * Traditional phones use the Public-Switched Telephone Network. ### What is the Difference Between a Softphone and an IP Phone? * Softphones can be installed on any device that can connect to the Internet, including desktops, laptops, and tablets. * IP phones are phone handsets that have VoIP software installed. It combines the traditional phone with the software to make calls, but it does require a fixed device. ### What are the Advantages of Softphones Compared to IP Phones? Given the similarities between a softphones and an IP phone, there are several important factors to consider determining which is the right one for you. 1. **Cost Effectiveness**:The primary cost for IP phones is the hardware. Softphones are more cost-effective as they can be installed on any device that can connect to the Internet. Since softphones are on a cloud-based telephone system, you can use them to call people from anywhere in the world from a mobile device. This saves costs compared to the fixed IP phones. 2. **Mobility**: Softphones are location independent. As long as the device can connect to the Internet, you can make calls from anywhere on your favorite mobile device. IP phones can only be used from the handsets, making them less mobile. Staff and employers can quickly and easily adapt to working from anywhere since they will have all of their work contacts at their fingertips. This makes softphones a perfect fit for any home office. Information is more accessible so that contractors, freelancers, and staff who work from home can remain in the loop for projects. 3. **Simple Updates**: Softphones are easier to update, requiring only a few minutes. This means that you can stay current on updates for new features or patches, reducing update times. Most physical IP phones require manual updates or will need to be replaced, increasing both the cost and time to make the update. 4. **Scalability**: Softphones are easier and more efficient to scale. VoIP software on devices requires only a few clicks, allowing you to add or remove users on your network as your company grows. New users can be added without needing to preconfigure hardware. Cloudya, NFON’s [cloud telephone system,](t3://page?uid=16) is an example of how easy it is to connect analogue devices to the cloud telephone system. An analogue telephone adapter is required to complete the connection, but it can be used to connect to numerous devices. 5. **More Features:** Telephony that can be operated using a softphone, offers a wider range of features than traditional phone systems. The user only needs to tap on a contact’s name to initiate the call, instead of manually dialing the number. Some softphones also let users connect over video calls, screen sharing. You can also activate [voice traffic encryption](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-encryption) to ensure privacy and confidentiality. **Further Information** For more details about using softphones, you can check out our dedicated pages on [iSoftphone](https://www.nfon.com/en/service/documentation/manuals/software/mac/isoftphone-for-mac-manual/a-introduction/a-introduction) for Mac and [Windows](https://www.nfon.com/en/service/documentation/manuals/software/windows/nsoftphone-premium-manual/a-general-information/1-introduction). Want to know more? [Check  our leaflets](t3://page?uid=2507)! ### Related Articles ### Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) **What is VoIP?** The **Voice over Internet Protocol,** also called IP telephony, is a method of communication for making calls over a broadband Internet connection as an alternative to regular calls made over an analogue phone using the [PSTN](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/pstn). These VoIP calls can happen entirely over the Internet but where required, gateways also link to the PSTN. This means that VoIP users can still connect to anyone with a telephone number including local, mobile, and international numbers. VoIP services can be accessed from a computer with a so-called [softphone,](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/softphones) from an IP phone, from a smartphone or from a conventional landline phone that is connected to a VoIP adapter. [Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) ### Cloud The term “cloud” or “cloud computing” refers to a technology that allows applications and services to be accessed over a network such as the Internet as opposed to being run locally. Services made available by means of this technology are computing capacity, data storage space or applications such as [cloud telephone systems](https://web-production.nfon.com/gb/products/cloudya). The respective services are accessed via defined network protocols or interfaces. Many applications can be run directly from a browser. The actual IT resources for the services offered are located on a server or at a server farm **connected to the network.** [Cloud](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/cloud) ### Internet telephony **What is Internet Telephony?** Internet Telephony refers to all types of telephony services (including phone calls, fax, voicemail, video calls and other forms of communication) where calls and data are sent digitally over the Internet using the [Internet Protocol (IP)](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/ip-address), rather than being transmitted over traditional analogue landlines. An example of an Internet Telephony service is [Cloudya, the Cloud Telephone System from NFON.](https://web-production.nfon.com/gb/products/cloudya) [Internet telephony](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/internet-telephony) ### Voice encryption The Secure Real Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) is based on the [Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP)](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/rtp). SRTP denotes a technical process for the encrypted transfer of multimedia data (for example speech) via existing networks.  SRTP is used for example in internet telephony ([Voice over IP, in short: VoIP](/gb/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip)), in order to guarantee an eavesdrop-secure transfer of telephone data between multiple conversation participants. The NFON voice encryption system utilises the Transport Layer Security Standard (TLS) and the SRTP Standard. This is not only secure but also efficient. The encryption in [telephone systems](https://web-production.nfon.com/gb/products/cloudya) varies and can be integrated into the hardware or realised with the requisite software. 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