Many people ask if a server is the next step. Our answer is no. If you’re setting up a server, you should check out Mumble. The Ventrilo protocol includes a call home feature that checks the server’s license every time you connect. These tactics are anathema in open source ideology.
Reasons you should use Mumble:
The server is free and does not have any of the bizarre limitations of Ventrilo servers
It’s open source and is actively developed for all major platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux). iPhone and Android clients are currently in development
It is truly low latency. Compared to Mumble, Ventrilo’s latency is astronomical
The CELT codec is far superior to both speex and GSM
Mumble does not have a forced call-home check.
The Ventrilo network protocol itself is atrocious. It looks like it was written as a bad highschool programming project.
Always encrypted communication.
For gamers:
In-game Overlay - see who is talking.
Positional audio - hear the players from where they are located.