Customer Reviews (100)

Jonathan Enzinna • 2025-03-24T19:49:26.379Z

Best SIP soft phone for Android, bar none. Push notifications work great for incoming calls while not sacrificing battery life. I only wish it had a dark mode!

Gavin Stewart • 2025-03-22T13:59:04.520Z

Please enable dark mode.

Mark Sayers • 2025-01-13T13:34:24.596Z

I can't turn off DND for all accounts , we used to be able to turn it off and on Thank you

Summary of Key Insights

Groundwire: VoIP SIP Softphone is generally well-received, with users praising its stability, push notification functionality, and ease of use. However, a significant minority of users experience issues, particularly with setup, Bluetooth connectivity, and occasional disconnects. A frequently requested feature is dark mode. The overall sentiment is positive, but addressing the reported issues would improve user satisfaction.

The app has an average rating of approximately 4.05 stars (based on the score distribution). The breakdown of reviews is as follows: 45% 5-star, 18% 4-star, 14% 3-star, 3% 2-star, and 20% 1-star. This indicates a polarized user base, with a strong contingent of very satisfied users and a notable group experiencing significant problems.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but the reviews appear to be from recent versions of the app (based on mentions of specific versions and features).
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis involved a combination of sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral statements), keyword extraction (identifying frequently mentioned terms and topics), and thematic analysis (grouping related issues and requests). The star ratings were used to quantify overall sentiment.

Key User Pain Points

  • Setup/Configuration Issues: Some users struggle to configure the app correctly, particularly with specific VoIP providers like VoIP.ms. This is often mentioned in 1-star reviews.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity Problems: Bluetooth audio transmission issues are reported, especially with certain devices like the Samsung Pro 3 model. Callers on the other end may not hear the user.
  • Lack of Dark Mode: A significant number of users explicitly request a dark mode to reduce eye strain.
  • Push Notification Reliability: While many praise the push notifications, some users report issues with them not working consistently, especially on certain devices like OnePlus 11.
  • Microphone Issues with System Dialer Integration: When using the system dialer integration (an experimental feature), some users report that the other party cannot hear them.
  • Unnecessary Permissions Requests: Some users complain about the app repeatedly requesting contacts permissions even after they have been denied.
  • App Stability & Disconnects: A subset of users experiences disconnects and instability, leading to missed calls.
  • "Exiting..." Issue: One user reported that exiting the app sometimes gets stuck on "Exiting..." draining the battery.
  • Delayed Incoming Calls: Several users report delays in receiving incoming calls, sometimes ringing only after the call has gone to voicemail.
  • SMS Issues: Some users have problems with SMS functionality, including missing SMS tabs and non-functional SMS messaging with certain providers like voip.ms.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Dark Mode: The most frequently requested feature.
  • Android Auto Support: Integration with Android Auto is a common request.
  • Call Blocking: The ability to block incoming calls is desired.
  • Improved Bluetooth Settings: More granular control over Bluetooth device selection and persistent Bluetooth settings.
  • WearOS Support: A user suggested bringing Groundwire to WearOS.
  • Web Hook Support: A user requested web hook support for spam call checks or remote contacts database integration.
  • Faster Touch Tones: Faster registration of touch tones with remote PBXs.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Reliable Push Notifications: Many users praise the app's reliable push notifications, which ensure they receive calls even when the app is in the background.
  • Stability: Users often mention the app's stability compared to other VoIP softphones.
  • Good Audio Quality: Generally, users report good audio quality.
  • Ease of Use: Some users find the app easy to set up and use, especially compared to alternatives.
  • Feature-Rich: The app is perceived as feature-rich, offering more than just basic VoIP functionality.
  • System Dialer Integration: Some users appreciate the system dialer integration feature, although it is reported to have some issues.
  • Battery Efficiency: When push notifications are working correctly, the app is considered battery-efficient.
  • No Hidden Fees: Users appreciate the one-time cost and lack of subscription fees.
  • Responsive Customer Service: Some users reported positive experiences with customer service.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Address Bluetooth Connectivity Issues: Investigate and fix the reported Bluetooth audio problems, particularly with Samsung Pro 3 and other common Bluetooth devices.
    • Implement Dark Mode: Due to the high demand, implementing a dark mode should be a top priority.
    • Improve Setup/Configuration Process: Simplify the setup process, especially for popular VoIP providers. Provide clearer documentation and troubleshooting guides.
    • Fix System Dialer Integration Microphone Issue: Resolve the reported issue where the other party cannot hear the user when using system dialer integration.
    • Investigate and Fix Push Notification Problems: Address reports of unreliable push notifications on specific devices.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Address Unnecessary Permissions Requests: Stop repeatedly asking for contacts permissions after they have been denied.
    • Improve App Stability and Fix Disconnects: Investigate and resolve the reported disconnects and instability issues.
    • Fix "Exiting..." Issue: Fix the issue where the app gets stuck on "Exiting..."
    • Improve SMS Functionality: Address the reported SMS issues, ensuring compatibility with various providers.
    • Optimize Battery Usage: Continue to optimize battery usage, addressing reports of high battery drain when the app runs in the background.
  • Low Priority:
    • Add Call Blocking Feature: Implement a call blocking feature.
    • Add Android Auto Support: Consider adding Android Auto support.
    • Improve UI/UX: Consider making the keypad size customizable.
    • Add WearOS Support: Explore the possibility of WearOS support.
    • Add Web Hook Support: Consider adding web hook support.
    • Improve Touch Tone Speed: Optimize touch tone registration speed.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • VoIP Configuration Assistant: A tool or service that simplifies the configuration of VoIP softphones, providing step-by-step guidance and automated setup for various providers. This could be a standalone app or a feature integrated into Groundwire.
  • Bluetooth Audio Troubleshooting App: An app that helps users diagnose and fix Bluetooth audio issues with VoIP apps, providing solutions for common problems.
  • Advanced Call Blocking Service: A service that integrates with VoIP apps to provide advanced call blocking features, such as spam detection and custom block lists.
  • VoIP Softphone Customization Platform: A platform that allows users to customize the appearance and functionality of VoIP softphones, including themes, plugins, and custom features.

Trends and Observations

  • VoIP.ms Integration: A significant number of users specifically mention using Groundwire with VoIP.ms, suggesting a strong user base within that community.
  • Positive Sentiment Towards Push Notifications: Push notifications are a key differentiator and a major reason why users choose Groundwire.
  • Desire for Modern UI: Some users mention that the app looks modern compared to alternatives, indicating a preference for a contemporary design.
  • Mixed Feedback on System Dialer Integration: The system dialer integration is a welcome feature, but it requires further refinement to address the reported microphone issues.
  • Language Preferences: While most reviews are in English, some are in other languages (e.g., Vietnamese, Japanese), suggesting a global user base.

Conclusion

Groundwire is a solid VoIP softphone app with a strong reputation for stability and push notifications. However, addressing the reported issues with Bluetooth connectivity, setup, and push notification reliability is crucial to improving overall user satisfaction. Implementing dark mode and other requested features would further enhance the app's appeal. The focus should be on improving the core functionality and addressing the pain points experienced by a significant minority of users.

Overall Recommendation: Focus on fixing the high-priority issues and implementing the most requested features (dark mode and improved Bluetooth settings) to improve user satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cz.acrobits.softphone.aliengroundwire