You need a top-notch communication system to run your business, which is why many businesses look for different technologies to make and receive calls. But session initiation protocol (SIP), voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP), unified communication (UC) and other acronyms can be confusing, especially since many people use them interchangeably.
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To make things easier for you, we’ve broken down the core differences between SIP and VoIP, comparing the features and productivity you’ll get from using either VoIP alone or in tandem with SIP. While the two are intertwined in important ways, having a better idea of the details can help you make better purchasing decisions for your business.
SIP vs. VoIP: At a Glance
Instead of routing your calls through traditional phone lines, which can be expensive or limited, you can use VoIP and SIP to connect calls over the internet.
In basic terms, VoIP is a technology that allows you to make and receive calls over the internet. SIP, on the other hand, is a protocol through which many VoIP calls are facilitated. It allows for fast, efficient communication between devices. Both SIP and VoIP allow you to transfer voice information to and from your computer or mobile device.
SIP and VoIP are both used for the transmission of data over the internet, but they are not the same .In basic terms, SIP can be thought of as one of the core technologies making VoIP calls possible. These features are becoming more important in today’s workforce, so many customers consider SIP a necessary part of their VoIP setup.
VoIP can function without SIP, when all you need is voice communication. But if you want to deploy VoIP and enjoy multimedia communications, you’ll need SIP technology to do it.
What Is SIP?
SIP is a protocol for transferring information between two or more points. In addition to voice, the open-source communications protocol enables file sharing, instant messaging, video conferencing and other multimedia sessions. This is what makes it the protocol of choice for so many of the apps we use in our lives.
SIP also enables SIP trunking, a feature that allows you to connect to a regular phone network such as a landline or a mobile device. This is useful as it allows you to call any phone number, even if its not another internet-based setup. When integrated into a VoIP system, it helps foster a more flexible and intuitive phone system.
VoIP Defined
VoIP allows users to make and receive voice calls over the internet. In today’s modern landscape, VoIP is just one small part of an app’s communication features, which tend to also include text messaging and video chat capabilities. VoIP involves SIP in many cases, but not always. Today’s leading VoIP platforms include large industry players like RingCentral and Nextiva
VoIP allows you to make or take calls from a computer, mobile device or even a specialized VoIP desk phone. Any technology feature that allows you to exchange voice signals over the internet falls under the general umbrella of VoIP.
Bottom Line
SIP and VoIP are both integral tools in the modern workforce. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for any one company, the interlocking technologies that power many of today’s leading communication apps. VoIP technology, powered by the SIP protocol, has made it easier than ever to stay in touch with colleagues, friends and family all over the world. All you need is a stable high-speed connection, and the tech will take care of the rest.
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