Introduction: The Great Communication Question in 2025

Voice and video communication is an important fact in the current digital world as it is fundamental to every business. Helping customers, running a remote workforce, or simply doing a couple of calls a day: you need an efficient connection.

The huge question is:

Traditional versus WebRTC softphones should you keep using traditional softphones or move on to WebRTC ones?

Both of the technologies will allow you to make internet-based calls, although how they do it is different and the decision you make may affect performance, flexibility, and even costs.

We will discuss the key differences with traditional softphone and WebRTC and make a choice of which one makes some sense today.

Blog Outline:

1. What is a Traditional Softphone?

2. What is the WebRTC?

3. the most Important Differences between Softphones and WebRTC

4. Advantages & Disadvantages of Both

5. Use Cases – When to Use Which

6. Final Thoughts

Traditional Softphone? What Is That?

Softphone is a piece of software that allows to use internet to make phone calls through VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). You download it in your computer or a mobile device and use it as a physical phone as it has a dial pad, call controls, voicemail and so on.

Common Softphone Features:

Call hold, transfer, and forwarding

Contact management

Voicemail

SIP protocol support

Incorporation to CRM systems

So what is WebRTC?

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) is new age, developed in a browser technology enabling you to perform voice and video calls without requirement of any software. It operates in your web browser itself- such as Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

It’s often used in:

Web-based customer support apps

Online meetings

Video chats in SaaS platforms

Embedded calling on websites

Key WebRTC Features:

Audio and video calls

Real-time data sharing

Works without downloads

Uninterrupted appearance in web apps

Important Differences between WebRTC and Softphones

Feature	Traditional Softphone	WebRTC
Setup	Requires download and installation	No download—runs in browser
Compatibility with devices Desktop & mobile (requires the app) Any device with		A limited number of built-in functions (in comparison with softphones)
Compatibility with devices Desktop & mobile (requires the app) Any device with		A limited number of built-in functions (in comparison with softphones)
Call Quality	High (depends on setup)	High (depends on browser & connection)
Maintenance	Updates required	Automatically updated with browser
Integration	Connects with VoIP systems	Embeds easily in web applications

Pros & Cons: Softphones vs WebRTC

Traditional Softphone Pros:

More advanced call handling features

Full SIP support

Strong integration with PBX systems

Traditional Softphone Cons:

Needs manual setup and updates

Less flexible across devices

May not support video natively

WebRTC Pros:

No downloads—just click and talk

Perfect for remote teams and support apps

Combines audio, video, and chat in one

WebRTC Cons:

Depends on browser support

May need backend configuration for SIP

Use Cases, Which, and When?

Wrap-up: Which of the Two to Make Sense in 2025?

Use Traditional Softphones if:

Your team handles a high volume of calls daily

You use a full-featured SIP-based PBX system

Your agents prefer a dedicated calling interface

Use WebRTC if:

You want quick, browser-based calling

You’re building a custom communication platform

You need easy integration into websites or CRMs

What is better, softphones or WebRTC?

There is no uniform response. However, in 2025, WebRTC is raring to be the vehicle of preference among businesses that are seeking speed, simplicity, and flexibility. It is particularly amazing when teams are teleworking or you have a company that provides support on websites.

Nevertheless, conventional softphones can be applied to a company that has a complicated VoIP infrastructure, an extensive call routing policy, or particular feature requirements.

As it turns out, several businesses are now mixing the two technologies investing in WebRTC to make browser-based calls and use softphones to have the advanced PBX features.