Linphone is a capable, free SIP client that runs almost everywhere. If what you actually want is a desktop business phone that records and writes down every call — and sets up without hand-editing SIP fields — here is how the two compare on Mac and Linux.
The Windows builds aren't code-signed yet, so Windows warns on first launch. How to get past it
The Windows builds aren't code-signed yet, so Windows warns on first launch. How to get past it
Linphone is a long-running, open-source SIP softphone from Belledonne Communications. It runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, and covers a lot of ground — voice and video calls, instant messaging, and end-to-end encryption — for free.
| WaveKat Voice | Linphone | |
|---|---|---|
| Records every call | Automatic — every call recorded and saved the moment you hang up. | Manual recording per call; not a saved, browsable history by default. |
| Written transcript | Live transcript alongside the call, kept with the recording. | No transcription. |
| Searchable call history | Every call lands in one history with its recording and transcript. | Call log only — no recordings or transcripts attached. |
| Setting up your number | Pick your provider from a list and the settings are filled in for you. | General-purpose SIP fields you configure yourself. |
| Where your data lives | On your computer by default; optional sign-in to sync to the web. | On your device — it is a client; nothing is hosted for you. |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows and Linux. | Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. |
| Video & chat | Focused on calls — no video or messaging. | Voice, video, and instant messaging. |
| Price | Free during the public beta; paid later. | Free and open source. |
Yes. Both are SIP softphones, so any provider that works with Linphone works with WaveKat Voice. The difference is setup: WaveKat Voice fills in the settings for common providers like Twilio, Telnyx, and 2talk, and lets you enter the details yourself for anything else.
Linphone can record an individual call when you start it manually, but it does not transcribe calls or keep a browsable history of recordings and transcripts. WaveKat Voice records every call automatically, writes a live transcript alongside it, and saves both to your call history without any setup.
No — WaveKat Voice is a commercial product, free during the public beta. Several of the building blocks underneath it are open source on our GitHub, but the Voice app itself is not.
Questions, feedback, or a device you wish we supported? Email is the best way to reach us — we read every message and reply as soon as we can.
Email usOr write to eason@wavekat.com directly.