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In this post we will briefly analyze the Most Popular Linux VoIP (Voice and Video Messaging) Applications. Included are some that you probably heard about (Skype, Empathy), but also others that are not so well known (Asterisk, Ekiga, Qutecom, Kphone, Gizmo5 and Twinkle). |
Skype or Whatsapp
Skype or Whatsapp It is the most popular VoIP application with almost 500 million users. The reason Skype is so popular is that it was built on top of a standalone VoIP service, without the need for users to get their hands dirty with tedious SIP setups.
The Linux version is a bit behind the Windows version, but it works quite well. Some people, however, have some problems where Skype recognizes the video camera well for video calls.
Empathy
Empathy is an instant messaging client based on the Telepathy communications environment. Empathy supports XMPP / SIP audio and video conferencing available on devices. Additionally, it provides a common environment for applications to access instant messaging capabilities. It supports many common protocols including Jabber / XMPP, Google Talk, MSN Messenger, and Apple Bonjour / Rendezvous local network chat.
Empathy has been included by default in GNOME since version 2.24.
ekiga
ekiga, formerly called GnomeMeeting, is a free software application for video conferencing and IP telephony for GNOME. It uses H.323 compliant hardware or software (such as Microsoft Netmeeting) and is released under the GPL license. It is also available for Unix and Windows systems.
It enables all modern video conferencing features like smart provider support or phone calls from computer to phone.
For its correct operation you must have a SIP account, which can be created for free from ekiga.net. On the other hand, to be able to make calls to conventional telephones from the PC, you must have an account with an internet telephony server. The same program recommends the provider Diamondcard Worldwide Communication Service, although there are many others such as VoIPBuster. These services are not free, but the service provider is paid according to the destination phone according to their rates.
KDE Softphones
The following applications also work with the SIP and H.323 protocols and were designed for KDE: KPhone, Twinkle and Qutecom.
Asterisk
Asterisk is a free software program (under the GPL license) that provides functionalities of a telephone exchange (PBX). Like any PBX, you can connect a certain number of telephones to make calls with each other and even connect to a VoIP provider or to an ISDN both basic and primary.
Asterisk includes many features previously only available in expensive proprietary PBX systems such as voicemail, conferencing, IVR, automatic call distribution, and many more. Users can create new functionalities by writing a dialplan in the Asterisk scripting language or by adding modules written in the C language or any other programming language recognized by Linux.
To connect standard analog telephones, FXS or FXO electronic telephone cards manufactured by Digium or other vendors are required, since a simple modem is not enough to connect the server to an external line.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Asterisk is that it recognizes many VoIP protocols such as SIP, H.323, IAX and MGCP. Asterisk can interoperate with IP terminals acting as a registrar and as a gateway between the two.
Asterisk is beginning to be adopted in some corporate environments as a great low cost solution together with SER (Sip Express Router).
