Aria

Aria is a native SIP softphone for people who already use a standards-compliant SIP server and want a desktop calling client. It is strongest for personal, non-commercial use: its free tier allows multiple accounts and unlimited calls, while businesses need a separate licence.

Overview

Aria focuses on connecting to SIP infrastructure rather than providing browser-based calling or a complete phone service. It supports servers including Asterisk, FreeSWITCH and 3CX, making it a sensible fit for callers who already have an account with a compatible provider or run their own system. Desktop apps are available for macOS, Windows and Linux. There is no browser calling, and the iOS and Android apps have no releases yet.

Key features

Calling includes inbound and outbound calls, mute, hold, transfers, DTMF, presence, contacts and call history. Multi-account support is useful for people juggling personal SIP lines, and unlimited calls on the free plan avoids a usage cap. Audio options include Opus up to 48 kHz, G.711 and an adaptive jitter buffer. Local WAV recording keeps recordings on the device, while an opt-in build feature can transcribe and summarise calls locally; that feature is not in the default download.

SIP signalling can use TLS, and media can use SRTP with AES-128-CM and HMAC-SHA1-80. This is transport encryption, not end-to-end encryption, so it should not be mistaken for protection across every part of a call. The privacy policy says credentials, contacts, call history and recordings are stored locally, with no telemetry, analytics or phone-home behaviour.

Aria also works with the maker’s AriaRoute hosted PBX, which offers numbers, extensions, an auto-attendant, ring groups, voicemail and call recording. For mobile use, the maker describes integrations with iOS CallKit and PushKit and Android ConnectionService and FCM. The self-hosted push gateway uses APNs and FCM, stores data in SQLite and provides a REST API for device registration and call signalling. That gateway is required for mobile apps to receive incoming calls in the background, adding deployment work once mobile releases arrive.

Pricing

Free — free (billed $0 forever) is for personal and other non-commercial use. It includes unlimited calls, multiple accounts and core softphone features. Community support is included. The absence of call or account caps makes it a broad free option for individual use, but the non-commercial restriction rules it out for workplace calling.

Commercial — custom pricing is the required route for business use. It includes a business-use licence and priority email support, with custom branding and white-label options, custom development, a dedicated account manager and SLA guarantees. This is aimed at organisations that need licensing or tailored support rather than businesses seeking a self-serve, published-price plan. There is no free trial.

Platforms

Signed desktop installers and in-app updates are available for macOS, Windows and Linux. Although iOS and Android are among the intended platforms, the maker says both apps remain in testing and have no releases. The API and self-hosted push gateway offer integration paths, but they do not change the current lack of a released mobile app. Aria is a desktop app, not a browser softphone.

Who it's for

Aria is best for personal SIP users who want several accounts, unlimited calling and local handling of call records on a desktop. It also suits people whose SIP setup uses Asterisk, FreeSWITCH or 3CX. It is not yet a practical choice for someone who needs a released mobile client, and business users must budget for a commercial licence.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free personal tier includes unlimited calls and multiple accounts, avoiding the tight account or usage limits common to some free softphones.
• Pros: Local recording and locally stored account and call data suit users who want those materials kept on their device.
• Pros: TLS and SRTP support provide transport encryption options, with the encryption boundary clearly distinguished from end-to-end protection.
• Cons: No iOS or Android release is available yet, and background incoming calls will require a push gateway when mobile apps arrive.
• Cons: Business use requires a separate licence with custom pricing, so organisations cannot assess its cost from a published rate.
• Cons: Local transcription and summaries require an opt-in build rather than the default download.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, browse Softphone and calling apps. Blink is worth considering if a web option or released Android and iOS platforms matter; its free Linux, Mac and Windows downloads require a SIP account. Linphone is a better fit for readers who want open-source software under GNU GPLv3, with proprietary licensing available for closed-source use.

Siperb Mobile Softphone may suit users who specifically want a personal free plan with limited storage and seven-day SIP trace and registration activity logs. SipPulse Softphone is another option for users seeking a free app plan described as supporting unlimited users and installations across iOS, Android, Windows and Linux. Zoiper may be preferable when one account and two lines are enough on its non-commercial free desktop plan.

Bria Solo is an alternative for someone who wants a limited free personal plan for one device and one SIP account, or a paid option at $2.95 a year. AGEphone offers a free personal-use edition, with business use requiring AGEphone Cloud or AGEphone Business. MicroSIP is a free Windows desktop SIP softphone under GPL v2, while its custom-branded build starts at €150, paid once.

Verdict

Choose Aria if you want a desktop SIP client for personal use, need multiple accounts and unlimited calls, and value local storage and recording. Its core calling scope is compelling at $0 for non-commercial use. Look elsewhere if you need a released mobile or browser client, or if you need business licensing at a published price.