The equipment you need for VoIP can be quite affordable or very expensive, depending on your needs.

You will need an ATA (phone adapter) and a phone set. The phone set can be any of the traditional phones you use with your traditional land line telephone service provider. Now there are special phones for VoIP with special features, called IP phones. These do not require having an ATA, because they have the functionality included. IP phones are quite expensive and are mostly used by businesses.

To make or receive calls using VoIP, you need a hardware setup that will allow you to speak and listen. You might just need a headset with your PC or a complete set of network equipment including routers and phone adapters.

An ATA is not required if you are using PC-to-PC VoIP, but you will use it if you sign up for a monthly VoIP service to be deployed at home or in your office, and if you intend to use your existing phones.

The phone set is essential for VoIP. Several types of phones can be used with VoIP, depending on the circumstances and your requirements.

Handsets resemble telephones but they connect to your computer through USB or a sound card. They work together with a softphone allowing you to use VoIP more comfortably. They can also be plugged into an IP phone to allow many users using the same phone.

A PC headset is a very common multimedia device which allows you to hear audio from your computer and input your voice by using a microphone.

A VoIP router is a great alternative to an ATA and phone piece. VoIP routers (also called gateways) feature built-in telephone terminal adapters in addition to their normal wireless networking functions.