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Installation instructions

Free VoIP softphone for non-commercial use. Desktop; Windows. Mac OS X, Windows) Browser integration (click to dial.

With best-in-class security and a host of onboard features, ZoiPer’s softphone applications are an excellent choice for businesses of any size. The ZoiPer VoIP softphone application is available in two versions, ZoiPer Classic and ZoiPer 3, each compatible with Windows, Mac, and iOS/Android devices.
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Activating the Zoiper License: (Zoiper Business Edition Only)

Beyonce homecoming album zip download. If you are using Zoiper Business Edition, an activation screen will appear on the first startup. Please fill in the email address you used to purchase Zoiper as the 'username field'. You can find the password in the mail that was sent to you directly after your purchase.

Activate online

If your computer is connected to the Internet, you can activate your copy of Zoiper automatically by clicking on the Activate online button. Zoiper will contact our licensing server and download the needed license files.

If your computer requires the use of a manually configured http proxy server, zoiper will automatically use the proxy as configured in the mac os X preferences.

Activate offline

If your computer is not connected to the Internet or a firewall is blocking access to our licensing server, the “Activate offline” - button can be used. Clicking on the button will generate a file that contains some details that are unique for your computer and the version of Zoiper that you are trying to register. The filename contains the name of your computer. It will look like this:

Open your file browser (Finder);

Select Go -> Go to Location and open this location:

Send an email with the PCNAME.certificate file attached to register4@shop.zoiper.com;

Close the instructions window.

Our server will send you a file named certificate. Please place it next to the PCNAME.certificate file and start your Zoiper. Note that the certificate file needs no extension.

Silent installers for mass deployments.

If you would like to install Zoiper without the need for user interaction, but with a progress indicator, use these command line options to the zoiper installer. (You will need to adjust the name based on the installer you are using).

Activation errors

In case the username and or password is incorrect, an error message will be shown and the application will exit. Please restart the application and try again.

If all went fine, this notice should appear, you are now ready to use the application

Configure Microphone and Speaker

Zoiper comes with a built-in Audio Wizard for easy configuration of your microphone and Speaker.

You may access this Audio Wizard by:

Clicking on the speaker icon on the bottom right
Clicking on the Settings menu in Zoiper and selecting Audio Wizard

Zoiper will configure your Speakers first.

Click on the “start the test” – button.

If your speakers are configured and connected properly, you should hear a ringing sound. If you do, please click on the Yes button and move on to the Microphone step.

If no ringing sound was heard, please make sure your speakers are connected properly and powered on and if needed change the selected audio device on the bottom of the page to a different one and try again by clicking on the “no” – button.

Click on the “Test your microphone” – button to start recording your voice.

If the selected microphone is connected properly, you should see the volume meter move when speaking into the microphone. If the volume meter is not moving, please check your cabling and make sure the proper audio device is selected in the Device section on the bottom of the page.

Configuring a SIP, IAX or XMPP account

Now that the audio devices are configured, it is time to move on to the configuration of the server you want to use. This could be a VoIP provider, your office PBX or a public XMPP provider such as Facebook.

Click on the Settings menu and select “create a new account”.

Account Type

A new page will appear to select the type of account you want to make. This will usually be SIP, unless your VoIP provider or system administrator instructed you otherwise

Select the type of account you want to configure and click on the “Next” – button.

Tip: Please visit http://oem.zoiper.com for more information on how to make things easier for your users by providing them with a preconfigured or preprovisioned Zoiper. This will bypass all tedious configuration tasks for the end user and will allow the user to make calls immediately after the installation.

Credentials

Your provider or system administrator should have provided you with a username, password and possibly a hostname.

Fill in the username on the first line and the password on the second line.

If your administrator provider you with a domain, proxy, registrar, hostname, outbound proxy or server field, please fill enter it on the last line.

Fill in the username on the first line and the password on the second line. The username could look like:

or:

The password will typically be a random string, usually with a combination of lowercase and uppercase characters and some number like:

This field will typically look like:

or:

or in case of a PBX might look like:

Account name

Please enter a name to identify this account; you are free to give it any name of your liking.

When you are done, click on the “next” – button. Zoiper will now try to figure out the best way to connect to the VOIP server.

Troubleshooting

In case the account wizard is unable to automatically configure your account, this could be due to a variety of reasons.

Most common reasons are:

The server hostname does not exist or is incorrect.
The username or password is incorrect.
The server is not responding or a firewall is blocking the access.
The account needs additional configuration to register

Please verify the information you have entered and try again.

If you are sure the information are correct and want to save the information and want to complete the configuration manually, click on “I know what I am doing, save this information anyway”.

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Softphone Basics

To make VoIP calls using a VoIP softphone, callers need a/an:

High-speed Internet connection
Account with a VoIP provider (or a connection to a company's PBX)

There are a lot of VoIP softphones available to residential and business VoIP consumers. Some are proprietary applications designed to work with a particular vendor, such as Skype (which uses its own specific protocol).

Many business-focused VoIP providers, such as RingCentral or 8x8, provide their own branded softphone to use with their Hosted PBX VoIP calling service. Still other softphones are made by independent third-parties, such as CounterPath, and designed to work with a broad range of VoIP service providers and operating systems. Vocalocity, for instance, is a business VoIP provider that supports SIP VoIP softphones made by CounterPath and Acrobits.

Equipment requirements for VoIP softphone software include a:

Device with onboard sound (a sound card)
Microphone and speaker

Using a headset with a VoIP softphone is common, especially in business environments where a noise-cancelling microphone will help eliminate distractions, but a significant advantage of softphones is that they do not need any external hardware.

In order for the VoIP softphone to function effectively with the VoIP service provider or company PBX, the softphone software must incorporate a/an:

Appropriate protocol (SIP, IAX)
Common audio codecs

VoIP Softphone Protocols

Softphone protocols include:

SIP
IAX
H.323
MGCP
SCCP

In order to use VoIP softphones, both endpoints — the caller and the recipient — must share the same protocol. Some VoIP providers, such as Skype, use a proprietary protocol. The most common VoIP protocol is the open source session initiated protocol (SIP). The SIP protocol is used with many Hosted PBX providers. CounterPath's line of softphones — Bria, eyeBeam, and X-Lite — are all SIP VoIP softphones.

The Inter-Asterisk eXchange (IAX) protocol is used with PBXs using Asterisk. Kiax is a softphone for personal use that uses the IAX protocol. Some softphones extend their market advantage by supporting multiple protocols. The commercial softphone made by Zoiper supports both the SIP and IAX protocols. The Mirial softphone supports SIP and H.323.

Many VoIP softphones also feature chat and video calls, and many more comprehensive softphones also support faxing, file transfers, and desktop sharing. As full-fledged communication suites, they may also integrate the ICE, STUN, TURN, H.239, and XMPP protocols for instant messaging, screen sharing, and video functions.

VoIP Softphone Codecs

Compression is required to transmit large data files, such as audio and video, over the Internet. Codecs (compression/decompression) are programs that help computers to decompress downloaded files for viewing, or compress them for sending.

As there are numerous different types of codec — for audio, video, streaming media, and more — and countless variations of each codec, softphones will frequently incorporate multiple codecs. The most common audio codecs supported by softphones are G.711 and G.729. Some softphones will allow users to specify and prioritize the codecs they use, and disable the others.

Softphone audio codecs include:

Speex
GSM
AMR
iLBC
L16

Softphones that support video calls may also feature these codecs:

MPEG1
MPEG2
MPEG4
Theora

VoIP softphone software that supports faxing will also include the T.38 protocol.

VoIP Softphone Features

A VoIP softphone is a software phone. VoIP softphones are usually designed to look like a traditional phone, with a keypad for dialing, and may also include phone icon(s). Callers interact with the VoIP software interface using a keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen (on a smartphone, for instance).

VoIP softphones support traditional calling features, such as:

Call waiting
Speed dial
Mute
Caller ID

VoIP softphones may also include features such as:

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Contact list (may integrate with Outlook)
Hold (sometimes with music)
Online presence
Conference calling
Echo cancelation and noise reduction

Last number redial
Call forwarding
Call transfer
Voicemail

Many of the most popular VoIP softphones — such as Skype — also support instant messaging and video calls. Skype also offers Facebook integration, allowing users to read and post status updates, like or comment on a friend's status, and make voice and video calls to Facebook friends.

VoIP softphones for businesses offer even more features than most VoIP softphones for personal use. Business VoIP softphone features can include:

Call recording
Do not disturb
Unified communications
Personal call log/history

VoIP softphones for business can be customized and integrated with other business functions, such as customer relationship management (CRM), billing, and other enterprise resource management (ERP) components.

VoIP softphone features vary widely. Review our softphone directory for more information about softphones and their available features.

Softphones can be installed on multiple computers, using the same number/account

Why Use a Softphone?

Softphones offer many advantages to residential and business VoIP callers:

Softphones can be used on cell phones or laptops while traveling, offering inexpensive VoIP calling using WiFi hotspots.
Using a softphone can eliminate the need for additional cords or an ATA adapter (such as the Vonage Box or magicJack).
Softphones can be used with most residential VoIP providers, extending service.
Softphones add additional functionality, such as video calls and instant messaging.
Softphones can be installed on multiple computers, using the same number/account.
Softphones offer ease-of-use with one-click functionality.
With softphones, telecommuters and remote workers can access the same in-office features.
Web-based softphones support anytime/anywhere access via the Internet.
Web-based softphones do not require software installation.

Companies — especially companies with an IP PBX — may use softphones as a way to reduce the cost of phone hardware while still benefiting from the convenience and performance of an IP PBX. Companies with unified communications needs or other call-dependent business functions (such as call centers) can integrate softphones with other software modules to better prioritize, monitor, and track customer, product performance, and inventory issues.

The Evolution of VoIP Softphones

When softphones were first developed, they were applications used on a home or work computer. More precisely, they were:

Downloadable/installable
Standalone programs with their own windows
Designed to mimic a phone interface (keypad, phone icon, dialing and ringing sounds)

As cell phone use in business expanded and companies started looking into the benefits of softphone software use, many VoIP softphones became part of task-focused suites of software: VoIP softphones were no longer standalone programs with their own window, but embedded into multipurpose software. VoIP softphones — integrated into a production-oriented environment with contact management, order tracking, CRM tools, and more — are ideal for businesses such as call centers, where computer and phone use are highly interdependent.

VoIP softphones for personal use are still likely to be standalone programs — especially on cell phones — and also likely to feature the traditional dialing keypad and phone icon. However, the VoIP software is less likely to be downloaded and installed individually — many softphone software developers have shifted to OEM softphones (especially for business environments with unified communications) or web-based VoIP softphones.

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OEM Softphones

OEM softphone software — softphones bundled into business-focused software suites, custom branded, and generally included with the hardware — is common in many industries that foster a unified communications approach to problem-solving, customer access, and production. However, while OEM software is the norm in business applications, OEM softphone software on the homefront is just beginning to take root.

For instance, Skype is one of the most-recognized names in VoIP softphone software. While not the first VoIP softphone ever developed, it is both one of the oldest (launched in 2003) and most popular — when Microsoft picked up Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, it had over 600 million registered users.

Skype has moved beyond the desktop standalone program for making VoIP calls. Today, you can not only use Skype on your computer, but also on your cell phone and your TV. Many TV manufacturers make 'Skype-ready' TVs with OEM Skype softphone software — all that's needed to make VoIP calls using the Skype VoIP softphone is a Skype account, broadband access, and a TV webcam.

Browser-based VoIP Softphones

Web-based softphones are more advantageous delivery platforms for making VoIP calls, and are increasingly more common. Newer technologies such as HTML5 and jQuery are making the performance of complex functions quicker and more responsive.

Web-based VoIP software offers a simpler, more accessible form of VoIP softphone use to both business and residential VoIP consumers. For VoIP service providers, browser-based VoIP software affords greater opportunities for market penetration.

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Some of the benefits of browser-based softphones are:

No downloads or installs
Operating system independent (Mac, Linux, Windows are all compatible)
Browser independent (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, IE)
Accessible anywhere, on any Internet-connected device

With no VoIP software to install, a web-based VoIP softphone is accessible in environments where users lack the permissions to download and install software.

With no VoIP software to install, a web-based VoIP softphone is accessible in environments where users lack the permissions to download and install software. That could include business environments as well as Internet cafes. For VoIP softphone users, that's an added convenience. For VoIP softphone developers, it's a new market segment.

Some VoIP softphone developers also offer commercial applications for browser-based softphone software, enabling companies to integrate the service into their own websites and eliminate the need for IP phones and installed VoIP softphone software modules.

Some softphone software vendors offering web-based VoIP softphone access include:

Zoiper (commercial)
Skype (in development)
SIP Services
Flaphone
MozillaVoIP
Mizutech

With the Phono jQuery plugin and a few JavaScript code bits, VoIP callers can also turn any browser into a web-based VoIP softphone.

You'll find more web-based VoIP softphones listed in our softphone directory.

VoIP Softphones on Mobile Phones

Every mobile VoIP app — from Skype to Line2 to iCall to Viber — is a VoIP softphone. Yes, a softphone. How so? Let's look at the criteria:

The mobile VoIP app is a piece of VoIP software that operates as a calling interface. The VoIP softphone software uses a screen-based keypad to make VoIP calls using an Internet-connected device without requiring additional hardware, such as a phone or headset (never mind that the app actually lives on a phone).

Mobile VoIP softphones offer even greater mobility, flexibility, and cost savings to VoIP consumers. This has led to an astounding number of VoIP apps on iTunes and in the Android market, as VoIP calling — and bypassing carrier minute plans — grows in popularity.

In fact, Juniper Research issued a whitepaper in 2011 that featured the following projections: By 2016, 80% of all 640 million mobile VoIP users will make VoIP calls using downloaded VoIP softphones on smartphones.

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For a complete listing of mobile VoIP softphones, check out our softphone directory for mobile VoIP apps.