Softphone is short for Software Phone, which means that it is a computer program that you install on your PC which behaves like a telephone. Instead of a handset, you use headphones and a microphone attached to your computer.

There are many different types of Softphones. Before choosing which type of softphone you want to use, you need to decide on what VOIP service provider you are going to use. This depends on how much you are prepared to pay a month (if anything), and the quality of service which you would like. It also depends on how many phone calls you are going to want to make outside of the VOIP system (such as to normal standard telephone lines), the country in which you live in and the countries in which you want to be able to make calls to.

Many service providers allows you to register for a free subscription, which will allow you to talk to other subscribers for free. In order to be able to use your Softphone to dial normal telephone numbers, however, you will need to obtain a paid subscription.

Once you have a subscription, you can download one of many free Softphones. There are a few different protocols, which Softphones use to operate, such as SIP and IAX. You will need to ensure that the Softphone you download uses the same protocol as your VOIP service provider.

Once you have both a VOIP service provider and a Softphone installed on your computer, not to mention a good broadband connection, you will be in a position to make both free and low-cost telephone calls.