无论您是在家工作还是远程工作，VoIP服务都可以让您的生活更轻松。VoIP代表互联网协议语音(Voice over internet protocol)，是固定电话的绝佳替代品。VoIP允许您通过互联网而不是传统的电话线进行语音通话。
当有互联网但没有手机服务时(when there’s internet but no cell service)，您可以使用 VoIP ，或者只是为了节省长途电话费用。有许多不同的VoIP提供商可供选择。为了帮助您确定Skype是否足以满足您的需求，或者您需要更高级的提供商，例如Grasshopper或MessageBird，我们整理了一份让VoIP服务在家工作的最佳地点列表。
什么是 VoIP 以及它是如何工作的？ (What Is VoIP & How Does It Work? )
在为您选择合适的VoIP提供商之前，您应该了解VoIP的工作原理以及它比传统电话服务更好的原因。
VoIP将您的语音转换为数字信号，然后将其作为数据通过 Internet 发送。当您使用VoIP呼叫标准手机时，数字信号会在另一端转换回声音。
你需要什么开始 (What You Need To Get Started )
如果您想切换到VoIP，您需要设置自己的VoIP系统。它可能只是您的智能手机或计算机。在这种情况下，您将能够使用某些 VoIP 应用程序(using certain VoIP apps)拨打语音电话。您还可以在计算机上使用特殊的VoIP软件。
Skype 等一些VoIP 程序(VoIP programs like Skype)甚至可以让您拨打常规的固定电话或手机号码。但是，免费通话通常仅限于那些也拥有该应用程序的人。您必须付费才能拨打实际的电话号码。
或者，您可以使用普通固定电话和数字VoIP适配器。适配器插入插座或路由器，并将您的电话转换为VoIP系统。
在哪里获得 VOIP 服务(Where To Get VOIP Services)
使用VoIP更有效，因为它比使用普通电话线更便宜。此外，您还可以获得普通手机无法使用的额外功能，例如视频通话、通话录音和在线转接。当您在家工作时，这些都是有用的功能。
根据您要使用 的VoIP设置，您可能需要选择不同的服务。(VoIP)
最适合电脑使用(Best For Computer Use)
大多数为计算机使用而设计的VoIP服务还具有可以安装在智能手机上的移动应用程序。但是，为了充分利用这些程序，我们建议在您的计算机上使用它们。
Skype – 用于拨打固定电话( – For Calling Landlines)
今天Skype有很多东西，从可靠的聊天应用程序到屏幕共享工具(screen sharing tool)。它也是最古老和最受认可的VoIP服务之一。您可以使用它免费向计算机上安装了该应用程序的任何其他用户进行视频和音频通话(audio calls)。
Skype 也是带有拨打常规固定电话选项的VoIP应用程序之一。(VoIP)您可以购买订阅以拨打美国、整个北美地区(North America)的任何电话号码，或使用World Skype Credit服务拨打全球电话。
缩放(Zoom)(Zoom)- 易于使用( – For Ease Of Use)
Skype 的直接竞争对手(Skype’s direct competitor)Zoom提供(Zoom)了出色而稳定的VoIP服务，并承诺提供“优于其他服务”的连接。
Zoom具有许多标准功能，例如免费和无限制的视频和音频通话、聊天室、记录您的通话(record your calls )并将其转发给参与者的能力，以及该软件的移动版本。
但是， Zoom(Zoom)和Skype的最大区别在于，使用Zoom，您可以呼叫从未在该网站上注册过且未在其计算机或手机上安装该应用程序的人。当您在家工作并需要致电外部客户时，这非常有用。
Discord – 卓越的音频质量( – For Superb Audio Quality)
Discord提供通过文本、视频和音频进行的免费交流。您的对手也不需要注册或下载程序。他们只需点击您的链接即可加入会议。
Discord最初是为了迎合游戏社区而创建的。但是，它也被证明是一种高效的VoIP服务。您想要选择Discord 作为替代方案(Discord as an alternative)的主要原因是语音质量——与其他服务相比，它更清晰、更清晰。
最适合智能手机使用(Best For Smartphone Use)
如果您正在寻找主要（或专门）在手机上使用的VoIP应用程序，请查看以下服务之一。
Viber – 出色的移动解决方案( – For A Great Mobile Solution)
Viber是一款出色的多功能软件，它结合了消息传递应用程序(messaging app)和VoIP服务的属性。它提供的一些功能包括无限制的音频和视频通话、私人和群聊，以及作为订阅一部分的固定电话。
如果您不是Skype(Skype)的忠实粉丝，特别是该服务的移动版本，Viber将是一个不错的选择。
Signal – 用于隐私功能( – For Privacy Features)
Signal 被认为是最安全的消息传递应用程序之一(one of the most secure messaging apps)。对于将隐私放在首位(puts their privacy first)的人来说，这是一个不错的选择。
借助Signal，您可以确保您的所有通信（无论是音频、视频还是文本形式）都是私密且安全的，这要归功于该软件使用的加密机制。该应用程序还有一个桌面版本。移动和桌面应用程序都是免费的。
最适合商业用途(Best For Business Use)
我们列表中的所有应用程序都适用于住宅和商业用途。但是，如果您是在家工作并通过电话完成大量工作的自由职业者，或者是一家严重依赖通信渠道的小型企业，您可能需要提供一些额外功能的VoIP服务。(VoIP)
根据您的目标，您需要选择最适合您和您的公司的VoIP提供商。对于自由职业者来说，Ooma是一个不错的选择。它易于设置，价格合理，并提供出色的客户支持。
如果您的工作或业务要求您始终在移动中，请尝试Grasshopper 。无论您身在何处，您都可以获得可靠的呼叫、24/7 全天候支持以及可供客户轻松记住的虚荣号码选择。
对于那些正在寻找端到端解决方案的人，请查看MessageBird。它允许将您的所有通信渠道组合在一个API平台中。Message Bird提供免费试用版，因此您可以在付费之前测试该服务。
使用 VoIP 改变您的通信方式(Change Your Communication With VoIP)
切换到VoIP有很多优势，包括无限通话和短信(unlimited calls and texts)。尽管在进行更改之前，请务必检查您的互联网连接。由于VoIP服务依赖于您的宽带，因此您的通话质量将取决于您的互联网速度有多快（或多慢）。
与传统电话相比，您更喜欢VoIP吗？(VoIP)您使用过哪些VoIP服务来帮助您更有效地在家工作？在下面的评论中与我们分享您的经验。
The Best Places To Get VoIP Services To Work From Home
Whether working from home iѕ your everyday reality or you work remotelу, VoIP services сan make your life much easier. VoIP stands for Voice over internet protocol and is a great alternative to landlines. VoIP allows you to make voice calls over the internet instead of a traditional phone line.
You can use VoIP when there’s internet but no cell service, or simply to save money on long-distance calls. There are plenty of different VoIP providers to choose from. To help you decide whether Skype is enough for you or you need a more advanced provider like Grasshopper or MessageBird, we’ve put together a list of the top places to get VoIP services to work from home.
What Is VoIP & How Does It Work?
Before you choose the right VoIP provider for you, you should learn how VoIP works and what makes it better than a traditional phone service.
VoIP converts your voice into a digital signal, then sends it as data over the internet. When you’re using VoIP to call a standard cell phone, the digital signal is then converted back to sound on the other end.
What You Need To Get Started
If you want to switch over to VoIP, you’ll need to set up your own VoIP system. It could just be your smartphone or your computer. In that case, you’ll be able to make voice calls using certain VoIP apps. You can also use special VoIP software on your computer.
Some of the VoIP programs like Skype will even let you call regular landline or mobile numbers. However, free calls are usually restricted to those who also have the app. You’ll have to pay to call an actual phone number.
Alternatively, you can use a regular landline phone and a digital VoIP adapter. The adapter plugs into a socket or into your router and converts your phone into a VoIP system.
Where To Get VOIP Services
Using VoIP is more efficient since it’s cheaper than using normal phone lines. Plus, you get extra features that are not available through your normal phone, like video calling, recording your calls, and forwarding them online. These are all useful features when you work from home.
Depending on the VoIP setup you’re going to use, you might want to choose a different service.
Best For Computer Use
Most of the VoIP services made for computer use also have mobile apps that you can install on your smartphone. However, to get the most out of these programs, we recommend using them on your computer.
Skype – For Calling Landlines
Today Skype is many things, from a reliable chat app to a screen sharing tool. It’s also one of the oldest and most recognized VoIP services. You can use it to make video and audio calls for free to any other user who has the app installed on their computer.
Skype is also one of the VoIP apps that comes with an option of calling regular landlines. You can buy a subscription to call any phone number in the U.S., all of North America, or use the World Skype Credit service to call worldwide.
Zoom – For Ease Of Use
Skype’s direct competitor, Zoom offers a great and stable VoIP service, and promises a connection that “outperforms other services”.
Zoom comes with a number of standard features, like free and unlimited video and audio calls, chat room, ability to record your calls and forward it to participants later, as well as a mobile version of the software.
However, the big difference between Zoom and Skype is that with Zoom you can call people that never registered on the site and don’t have the app installed on their computer or phone. When you work from home and need to call external clients, this is very useful.
Discord – For Superb Audio Quality
Discord offers free communication over text, video, and audio. Your opponents also don’t need to register or download the program. It’s enough for them to follow your link to join the meeting.
Discord was originally created to cater specifically to a gaming community. However, it’s also proven to be an efficient VoIP service. The main reason why you would want to choose Discord as an alternative is the voice quality – it’s crisper and clearer in comparison to other services.
Best For Smartphone Use
If you’re looking for a VoIP app to use primarily (or exclusively) on your phone, have a look at one of the following services.
Viber – For A Great Mobile Solution
Viber is a great multi-purpose software that combines the attributes of a messaging app and a VoIP service in it. Some of the features it offers include unlimited audio and video calling, private and group chats, as well as landline calls as a part of the subscription.
If you’re not a big fan of Skype and specifically the mobile version of the service, Viber will make a great alternative.
Signal – For Privacy Features
Signal is considered one of the most secure messaging apps. It’s a great pick for anyone who puts their privacy first.
With Signal you can be sure that all your communication, whether it’s in audio, video, or text form, is private and secure thanks to the encryption mechanisms the software uses. There’s also a desktop version of the app. Both mobile and desktop apps are free.
Best For Business Use
All of the apps on our list are suitable for both residential and business use. However, if you’re a freelancer who works from home and does a lot of work over the phone or a small business that depends heavily on the communication channels, you might want a VoIP service that offers a little extra.
Depending on your goals, you’ll need to pick the VoIP provider that suits you and your company best. For freelancers, Ooma is a great choice. It’s easy to set up, comes at a reasonable price, and provides excellent customer support.
If your work or business requires you to always be on the move, give Grasshopper a try. You get reliable calling no matter where you go, 24/7 support, and a choice of vanity numbers that will be easy to remember for your customers.
For those looking for an end-to-end solution, have a look at MessageBird. It allows combining all of your communication channels in one API platform. Message Bird comes with a free trial version so you can test the service before paying for it.
Change Your Communication With VoIP
Switching over to VoIP has many advantages, including unlimited calls and texts. Though before you make the change, make sure to check your internet connection. Since VoIP services rely on your broadband, the quality of your calls will depend on how fast (or slow) your internet is.
Do you prefer VoIP over traditional calling? What VoIP services have you used to help you work from home more efficiently? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
