SIP vs VoIP — what's the difference?

These get mixed up constantly. VoIP is the broad technology for making calls over the internet. SIP is the protocol that actually sets up and manages those calls — and SIP trunking is how a business connects its existing PBX to the network. SIP is part of VoIP, not a rival to it.

  VoIP SIP
What it is A broad term: any voice call carried over the internet A specific protocol that sets up and manages those calls
Scope The overall concept / category The signalling standard most VoIP actually runs on
Relationship The umbrella A core part of VoIP — not a competing technology
Common business form Hosted phone systems, calling apps, softphones SIP trunking — connecting your existing PBX to the network
Connects an existing PBX Depends on the service Yes — that's exactly what a SIP trunk does
Scalability Varies by provider Add or remove channels (simultaneous calls) on demand
Best for Businesses wanting a full cloud phone service Businesses keeping a PBX but modernising the lines

What this means for your business

You rarely choose "SIP or VoIP" — you choose how you want VoIP delivered. If you want a full cloud phone service with no hardware, that's Cloud PBX. If you already own a PBX and just want to modernise the lines and cut costs, that's a SIP trunk.

WOCOM provides both over its own OUR-licensed carrier network — so whether you need cloud phones or SIP trunking for an existing system, it's one Jamaican provider end to end. See also our SIP Trunk vs PRI comparison.

SIP vs VoIP — FAQs

No. VoIP is the broad technology for carrying calls over the internet. SIP is a specific protocol that sets up and manages those calls. Most VoIP services actually run on SIP, so they work together rather than competing.
SIP trunking uses the SIP protocol to connect your existing business PBX to the phone network over the internet, replacing traditional lines. It is the most common business use of SIP.
Not really — you choose how VoIP is delivered. A full cloud phone service (Cloud PBX) or a SIP trunk for an existing PBX are both VoIP. WOCOM offers both.
If you want a complete cloud phone system with no hardware, choose Cloud PBX. If you already own a PBX and want to modernise the lines and lower costs, choose a WOCOM Flexi-SIP Trunk.

Cloud phones or SIP trunking — WOCOM does both

One OUR-licensed Jamaican carrier for however you want VoIP delivered.

Cloud PBX Flexi-SIP Trunk

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