Softphones primarily allow what type of communication?

Softphones are applications or software programs that enable voice communication over the Internet using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology. They primarily facilitate audio communication between computers, which allows users to make phone calls using their computers or mobile devices instead of traditional telephony. This is accomplished by converting the user's voice into data packets that are transmitted over the internet, thus enabling real-time voice conversations.

While softphones may have features that support video conferencing or text communication, their main purpose revolves around audio communication. Additionally, fax transmission is entirely different and not typically handled by softphone applications, which focus on voice interactions. Thus, the emphasis on audio communication distinguishes softphones as tools primarily designed for voice conversations, supporting user connectivity in a more flexible and often cost-effective manner compared to traditional phone systems.