6 Best VoIP Software For Gaming [2023 Guide]
You'll find a free voice and text chat client made for gamers in our list
- VoIP gaming programs allow you to bypass the traditional phone network for a digital medium of communication.
- While most of the software on this list are intended for gaming, if you would like to do more than game chat, we recommend Skype.
- These VoIP tools are excellent choices, we however lean towards using Ventrilo on older systems since it is lightweight and requires fewer resources.
In this article, let’s share the best VoIP for gaming. For the online gaming community, reliable and uninterrupted communication is essential not only for coordinating during gameplay but also as a way to expand the gaming group.
Most competitive games come with their own text and voice chat services, but they are not as reliable as some third-party VoIP software developed specifically for gamers. These chat clients offer low latency, minimal impact on system performance, and are light on your pocket and PC.
We have tested and reviewed the best VoIP for gaming. Some of these tools are free and open-source, while some come with a limited trial, after which you may need to purchase the license for continued usage.
What is gaming VoIP streaming?
The abbreviation VoIP references an online communication method for Voice Over Internet Protocol.
Calls may be placed directly from a VoIP phone, computer, or another data device without going via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) thanks to VOIP, which turns voice into a digital signal.
Gaming VoIP is the same tech but adapted to gaming services and software. So, although certain video games in the gaming industry include built-in VOIP, gamers often utilize alternatives like Discord, TeamSpeak, and Ventrilo.
What do PC gamers use to talk to each other?
There are many of these voice chat apps that are used by gamers. A few include:
- Discord
- Skype
- Mumble
- Riot
- Steam Chat
The list goes on, but without further ado, let’s get to the best VoIP for gaming.
Quick Tip:
To make communication with your peers easier, you can use a dedicated browser for gaming. We recommend Opera GX because it has Discord and other messenger apps pre-installed.
You have to enter your credentials and access it from the sidebar. No need to install new software or open new tabs. Just enjoy your browser games and participate in the conversation simultaneously.
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Get dedicated support for online games and fun integrations for Discord, Twitch, and more!What are the best VoIP apps for gaming?
Express Talk VoIP Softphone – Best phone book integration
If you’re looking for good VoIP software, you might consider using Express Talk VoIP Softphone. This application works as a softphone, and you can use it to call any other PC with a softphone installed.
In addition to calling other PCs, this software supports PC to phone calls using a VoIP SIP gateway provider. As for calling, all standard features are supported, so you can easily see the caller ID and log all calls.
Express Talk VoIP Softphone also has a built-in phone book so you can easily organize all your contacts. Another helpful feature is full integration with Microsoft Address Book, which will be pretty handy for some users.
The application also has features that will enhance the call quality, including data compression, echo cancellation, and noise reduction. The software can be used with USB phones, but it also works with headphones, microphones, and webcams.
As for advanced features, the software supports conference calls with up to 6 people and phone call recording. If you want, you can also transfer calls or use a Call Pickup feature and answer the call from a different location.
Overall, Express Talk VoIP Softphone is an excellent VoIP tool, and while it can perform audio and video calls, it can also work as a softphone, so it will be helpful to advanced users.
Most important features:
- Ability to make free voice and video calls
- Support for PC to phone calls
- Caller ID and call logging
- Built-in phonebook
- Call Holding, Call Transfer, and Call Pickup features
Express Talk VOIP Softphone
One of the best VOIP tools for free voice and video calls, suitable for gamers and not only.Discord – Best free option
Let’s begin with the new kid in the block making all the noise for the right reasons. Discord – a free voice and text chat client made for gamers and currently among the best popular VoIP software for gaming. It’s the best voice chat app for gaming on Android.
Discord is developed by like-minded people belonging to different shades of life but sharing one passion: gaming. The app is used by around 14 Million users daily, per the developer’s statistics.
It is an open-source project which explains the free tag. But don’t let the free tag fool you, as Discord is equipped with all the tools gamers need to interact with others on the network.
The users can interact easily with others via Video calls, Voice Calls, and text messages with up to 10 users at a time. The user interface is similar to what we have seen in Slack and other VoIP applications, which is easy and practical.
It is a cross-platform application, and irrespective of the computer or handheld device, you should be able to install and use Discord from anywhere there is connectivity.
One can create and join as many Discover servers for free as a user. The server owners can customize the channels as per their needs while the servers are hosted by Discord.
Discord has all the features you need from a VoIP service, including chatting and screen sharing features. You can also use the browser version of the software if you don’t want to install the client on your PC.
If you are looking for a new VoIP software, give Discord a try, as it will cost you nothing but a few megabytes of bandwidth.
Some important features:
- Video Backgrounds
- Video calls and streaming
- Developer tools
TeamSpeak – Most feature-rich
This is another popular cross-platform VoIP application with a host of features that allow you to use public and self-hosted servers to communicate with team members.
TeamSpeak client is free to download and use. However, unlike Discord, it is not entirely free. But you can download the software and connect to any public server available for free.
The self-hosted TeamSpeak servers allow you to keep 32 connections active simultaneously. However, if you have more than 32 people to communicate with or are part of MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) games, you would need to get the premium paid plans.
The user interface is simple and easy to use. The audio quality is excellent but not the best regarding latency. For added functionality, you can use the wide range of plugins offered by TeamSpeak.
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TeamSpeak claims to offer military-grade encryption for secure private communication, advanced permission controls, LAN functionality, anonymous usage, codes like CELT and Speex, Opus and GamePad, and Joystick hotkey support.
The TeamSpeak mobile app allows you to issue commands directly from your smartphone.
TeamSpeak is a secure and safe way to communicate with the online community. While the program is easy to use, setting up your self-hosted servers can be tedious for non tech-savvy users.
Some important features:
- Extensive security settings
- Add-ons, plugins, and tools
- Superior voice quality
Mumble – Best low-latency open-source VoIP
Mumble is known for its low-latency communication and is a popular free, open-source voice chat software that is primarily developed keeping the gaming community in mind. It is one of the best VoIP for gaming.
However, the developers don’t offer the mobile version of Mumble for the users. Although, you can download third-party apps like Mumble for iOS and Android devices.
For users, Mumble offers low-latency voice chats, encrypted communication, and public/private key.
Additionally, it features an in-game overlay, positional audio, and a wizard that guides you through the setup for the first time.
For the administrators, Mumble offers an open-source, free VoIP software with ACL ( Access Control List) for extensive user permission. You can extend the functionalities through Ice Middleware, web interfaces, and channel viewers, allowing users to authenticate against an existing user database.
Mumble is free, affordable, and offers low-latency voice chats, essential for fast-paced multiplayer games where each second counts.
Some important features:
- ACL-based server permissions
- Certificate-based authentication
- In-game overlay
Ventrilo – Most lightweight
If you are looking for a less resource-hungry VoIP client, Ventrilo is a good option. It is a lightweight software that doesn’t use too much of resources; as a result, running this VoIP client alongside your games will have minimal impact on system performance.
All the communications done using Ventrilo are encrypted, and the recordings are stored in your local client system. The app also does not collect any user data, offering complete privacy to the users.
Similar to other VoIP clients, Ventrilo also requires the users to have their server to use the software. If not, you can purchase the premium server plans from Ventrilo to manage 24×7 servers and be saved from the hassle of the server setup process.
Ventrilo is a multi-platform software, except that there is no Linux client for Linux users.
The user interface is rather colorful. You can further customize the look by downloading themes from the official website, which includes Egyptian Female Ruler, Projection, and ShakenNotStired themes.
The fact that it has fewer features than other VoIP clients listed above means you have fewer functions to deal with, making it easier to learn and use.
Some important features:
- Queued channels
- Channel feature filtering
- Cross-channel communications
Skype – Best all-purpose VoIP
Skype is an all-purpose VoIP software backed by Microsoft and boasts of its 300 million user base, which is impressive. It’s often said to be one of the best old voice chat programs.
However, Skype is not made for gamers only. We all have used Skype for voice chats, video calls, and even text messages at some point.
With Skype, you don’t have to worry about servers and hosting. Additionally, it is free to use, and the group chat function makes it ideal for gamers.
Skype is not as feature-rich as other software such as Discord or TeamSpeak, but if you don’t need advanced features, Skype offers all the basic functionalities you need from VoIP software to play games.
Skype supports features like call recording, Skype to phone number dialing, screen sharing, HD video calling, Live captioning, and more.
Conversely, Skype can be buggy and may face occasional crashes, and it is also a resource hog, which will impact system performance. It is one of the better apps for gamers to chat.
Some important features:
- Call recording and Live subtitles
- Audio and HD video calling
- Smart messaging
VoIP for gamers software like Discord and TeamSpeak has kept the VoIP market for the gaming niche alive and running.
And the growing popularity means the software is bound to make it even bigger, thanks to the ever-growing multiplayer online gaming community on mobile phones.
Apart from the one mentioned above, a few other popular VoIP software like GameVox and Curse were unfortunately discontinued for various reasons.
As we’re talking about VoIP, you might also be interested in the best automated calling software for business.
You must also pick a voice chat client based on your requirement. If you don’t need too many features, pick something that is light and fast and has minimal impact on your computer’s performance.
