Teamspeak Client 3.6.1 / 5.0.0 Beta 74

Overview

Teamspeak is a popular proprietary VOIP software targeted at gamers who can use it to communicate with other users  using different channels or a Teamspeak server of their choice.

Installation

Installation was smooth and nothing went out of the ordinary. The software takes about 50MB on the drive. It didn’t install anything extra like toolbars or such intrusive software.  It does ask a couple of questions regarding where you want to save files or which user you want the software to install for so make sure to look at these options before pressing next. The whole process takes only a few seconds. Teamspeak supports Linux, Mac and Windows, but we'll focus on the Windows version on this review.

Interface

Version 3 of Teamspeak has gotten a major overhaul and is a stark contrast from the basic interface of version 2. There are now a lot more settings under the hood, which gives the user more control over certain aspects of the software. The overall look is cleaner and there is now support for different themes. There’s also an option for different icon packs, however the software didn’t come with any.

Pros

Audio quality. This is the single biggest improvement over Teamspeak 2. By using better codecs and algorithms the voice quality has improved tremendously. If you have a decent mic, expect less echoes and feedback, and very less background noise. Security measures have also been strengthened through use of enhanced authentication systems and administrators have been given more control over their channels or servers. Teamspeak 3 also introduces positional 3D sound effects. However for this you’ll need decent headsets or 5.1 speakers. With version 3 you also get smartphone support on iOS and Android.

Cons

Despite a completely rewritten code, there can be issues regarding latency on a few occasions. Also, setting up a server is quite complicated and hence requires an experienced user.

Alternatives

Ventrilo is the biggest competitor for Teamspeak. However in the longer run maintaining a server on Teamspeak is cheaper. Teamspeak is also more popular as a whole and hence more people use it on a day-to-day basis. 

Conclusion

Teamspeak 3 has come a long way from its previous version. Most of the complaints users had regarding voice quality and security have been addressed and the results show. It’s a much more solid effort than version 2, offering robust security and features and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better alternative.