> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.get2dial.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Desk phone vs. browser softphone

> Choose between taking calls in your browser or on a registered desk phone, and understand what each choice changes.

Two ways to handle call audio as an agent: the browser softphone built into your workspace, or
a desk phone registered separately. Either way, your agent state, call controls, and
disposition always happen in the browser workspace — the device only changes where you hear
and speak.

## How it works

* **Browser softphone.** Nothing to set up beyond a headset. Your SIP credentials are created
  automatically with your account; sign in, grant microphone access, and calls ring in your
  browser tab — see [Set up your headset and audio](/agent/sign-in-and-audio-setup).
* **Desk phone.** An admin registers it separately, with its own SIP credentials — see
  [Connect a device and check registration](/voice/devices-and-registration). If it's
  registered under your own identity alongside your browser, both ring at once; whichever you
  pick up handles the call.

## When to use it

|                       | Browser softphone              | Desk phone                                                 |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Setup                 | Automatic, headset only        | Manual, needs an admin                                     |
| Call audio depends on | Your browser tab staying open  | Independent hardware                                       |
| Best for              | Most agents, no extra hardware | Noisy environments, shared desks, unreliable browser audio |

## What it affects

Your device choice only changes where audio plays. Which calls reach you is still governed by
your [agent state](/agent/agent-states) and any [skills](/inbound/queue-membership-and-skills)
required by the queue — a desk phone doesn't change what you're offered.

## Limits and constraints

Get2Dial doesn't auto-provision desk phones — you or your admin configure one manually, the
same way you would for any SIP provider. Full audio device selection in the browser needs
Chrome, Edge, or another Chromium-based browser; other browsers use your computer's system
audio instead.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Set up your headset and audio" href="/agent/sign-in-and-audio-setup" />

  <Card title="Connect a device and check registration" href="/voice/devices-and-registration" />
</CardGroup>