Is there a stable cross-platform softphone? Or a Linux-only one?

Question

We use an Asterisk based solution as our PBX, and although we've found hardphones work flawlessly, we have yet to find a reliable softphone.

The basic requirement is that it allows multiple calls and transfers.

I don't have a comprehensive list, but most of what we've tried adds delay to the voice (echo), garbles the sound, doesn't allow more than one call at a time, or just plain won't work.

On Windows we're fine (SJPhone), and although I'd prefer to use the same softphone for both OSes, I will settle for a good Linux-only one.

Any recommendations?

FYI, I've had problems getting SJPhone to work on Windows 7. I usually use it with its profile "PC to PC (SIP)", although I can't remember offhand if the problems were profile specific or not. — Dan J, Feb 09 '11 at 22:47

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered May 13 '09 at 04:25

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I have looked at quite a few of the soft phone clients one of my favorites is x-lite http://www.counterpath.net/x-lite-download.html I don't like that you can't transfer (with the free version) but it seems to be a very solid client. You should also check out this comparison http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_VoIP_software

answered May 13 '09 at 04:25

trent

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x-lite doesn't run on Linux :( – Ivan May 13 '09 at 05:46
so Ivan, you're saying that http://storage.counterpath.com/downloads/X-Lite_Install.tar.gz isn't linux compatible? – saschabeaumont May 13 '09 at 07:09
No, I'm saying I didn't see Linux on the requirements, but thanks for the link! – Ivan May 13 '09 at 13:25
I have never tried to run it on linux but they do say they have a linux build – trent May 13 '09 at 15:25

score 3 · Answer 2 · answered May 13 '09 at 12:55

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I have had good success using ZoIPer (formerly idefisk) under both Linux and Windows.

One major advantage of that client is that it supports both IAX and SIP. The free version supports two line registration profiles and they have paid versions as well.

answered May 13 '09 at 12:55

MikeyB

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered May 13 '09 at 04:15

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The only one I know of is Ekiga. Never used it so can't give a recommendation one way or the other.

answered May 13 '09 at 04:15

Evan

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We've tried that. It doesn't run well. – Ivan May 13 '09 at 05:47
It might have been helpful (and saved some peoples' time) if you had listed the ones you had already tried and why they were not suitable. – Evan May 13 '09 at 05:51
Unfortunately I didn't keep a list as I said, but I do remember some names when I see them. You didn't even try your own suggestion so I don't know why you complain ;-) – Ivan May 13 '09 at 06:17

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered May 13 '09 at 07:03

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Twinkle works absolutely fine for me on Linux.

answered May 13 '09 at 07:03

cmeerw

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This is the only one that seems to be happy running under pulseaudio (even though it goes through ALSA first). – Jim Hunziker Mar 13 '10 at 15:13

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered May 13 '09 at 04:53

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I'll assume that the Linux version of SJPhone wasn't suitable then?

X-Lite is great for a free solution. If you're willing to part with some cash for a license then eyeBeam is reasonably priced.

answered May 13 '09 at 04:53

saschabeaumont

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Nope, SJPhone didn't work reliably. And x-lite doesn't run on Linux. – Ivan May 13 '09 at 05:46
http://www.counterpath.net/x-lite-download.html - Linux/Mac/PC – saschabeaumont May 13 '09 at 07:08
Yep, sorry, didn't see that... Is eyeBeam available too? It seems it isn't. – Ivan May 13 '09 at 13:27

Is there a stable cross-platform softphone? Or a Linux-only one?

5 Answers5