Make free calls over the internet with the X-Lite softphone

Internet-based telephone calls can offer some quite significant savings. X-Lite is software that can be used with any account using the SIP technology.

Installation is simple and it did a good job of detecting the audio hardware in the computer and the webcam. It can use any combination of device, which proved helpful. We couldn't get any audio from the microphone input on the sound card so X-Lite used the webcam instead, while still using the normal headphone socket for the call audio.

Version 4 of X-Lite has a new look, which is less corporate than in previous versions. The number keypad is now hidden by default. It's a decision that makes sense as most people would type rather than click on number icons.

X-Lite also has a contacts book that can be organised into groups. Contacts can be set to be called or to send an instant message when their entry is clicked.

X-Lite can check for waiting voicemail on an account and you can select your own WAV files to use for various alerts.

There are lots of different providers of SIP accounts at all prices from no cost to monthly subscription. One provider, Freespeech.co.uk has a free account that can be used to receive calls from any number and make calls to other SIP accounts.