Types of VoIP Solutions

There are basically two types of VoIP solutions - software-based and hardware-based - depending upon how the VoIP system works.

Software-based VoIP Solution

Softphone

Software-based VoIP works on a software which you can download free from most VoIP provider sites. Besides this all you need is a broadband or DSL connection and a headset or microphone and speakers connected to your computer. Now you are ready to make VoIP calls right from your computer to another computer or a regular landline phone anywhere in the world.

So this is downloadable VoIP which can be used in two ways:

1. Pc-to-Pc or Free VoIP
This is the most basic kind of VoIP and is almost always free - no matter how long you talk to anybody in the world. Click here to read about this cheapest VoIP solution Free VoIP.

2. Pc-to-Phone VoIP
With this software-based VoIP solution, you use your computer to call other landline phones free or at ridiculously low rates. Free pc to phone calling is also possible with certain VoIP service providers. Click here to read about Pc-to-Phone VoIP and Free Pc to Phone Calls.


Hardware-based VoIP Solution

Internet Phone or Broadband Phone
This is a more flexible VoIP solution. In this VoIP solution, your regular telephone turns into an Internet or Broadband Phone. It connects to the broadband internet connection through your computer. An additional piece of software converts the voice (analog) signals of your phone to digital signals which are carried over the internet. You dial the number from your regular phone and the person you call doesn't feel the difference that you are calling from a VoIP phone because the voice quality with this solution is generally better than a software-based or softphone. This is because with this VoIP solution you will be using your regular handset to talk and listen instead of a headphone or speakers and mike.

IP Phone
This is the most flexible VoIP solution - the ultimate in VoIP telephony.
It is a special VoIP phone. It looks like any normal phone but all the software and hardware needed to make a VoIP call is included in the IP Phone. You don't have to keep your computer switched on to use this phone because it connects directly to your internet connection through a router device.

Click here to read about Internet Phones

Wi-Fi Phone
This is yet another VoIP solution like the IP Phone, but with the difference that it looks like a regular cell phone - actually it is a mobile VoIP phone that you can carry in your pocket. Now Wi-Fi Phones are starting to come into the market for use from Wi-Fi Hotspots.