It all depends. Lets first look at the description of both.
Echolink:
EchoLink is a computer-based Amateur Radio system distributed free of charge that allows radio amateurs to communicate with other amateur radio operators using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology on the Internet for at least part of the path between them. It was designed by Jonathan Taylor, a radio amateur with call sign K1RFD.
The system allows reliable worldwide connections to be made between radio amateurs, greatly enhancing Amateur Radio's communications capabilities. In essence it is the same as other VoIP applications (such as Skype), but with the unique addition of the ability to link to an amateur radio station's transceiver. Thus any low-power handheld amateur radio transceiver which can contact a local EchoLink node (a node is an active EchoLink station with a transceiver attached) can then use the Internet connection of that station to send its transmission via VoIP to any other active EchoLink node, worldwide. No special hardware or software is required to relay a transmission via an EchoLink node.
Before using the system, it is necessary for a prospective user's callsign to be validated. The EchoLink system requires that each new user provide positive proof of license and identity before his or her callsign is added to the list of validated users. There is no cost for this service, and it ensures that this system is used only by licensed amateur radio operators.
The software is written to run on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows. Another edition of the software runs on Apple mobile devices (iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad), and is available from the Apple App Store. An Android version is available on Google Play and several other Android app repositories.
AllStar:
AllStarLink is a world wide network of Amateur Radio repeaters, remote base stations, and hot spots accessible to each other via the Internet and/or private IP networks. AllStar software runs on a dedicated Linux computer (including the Raspberry Pi) that you host at your home, radio site, clubhouse, school, university, workplace, or computer center. AllStar is based on the open source Asterisk PBX and is released under the GNU GPL and is free for anyone to use. The core of AllStar and AllStarLink is the powerful app_rpt application and associated modules that load into the Asterisk PBX system.
We are often asked why Allstar with all of the new RF digital repeaters and their VOIP connection schemes out there. The best answer is open source, quality audio, and freedom to do what you want. Dstar, Fusion, DMR, etc are all at least partially if not completely proprietary systems. In most cases the VOIP connection system that makes them somewhat like Allstar is proprietary. Code plugs, Rooms, etc. all make for a confusing and hard to maintain system. It also makes a system which is managed much like IRLP. The individual users has little control other than to connect somewhere. Then there is the lousy audio that goes along with the current Amateur Radio digital RF schemes.
Allstar connects RF systems with full duplex quality audio. It also gives the user a choice in how and where they connect. Private or public group or individual connections can be setup quite easily. If you are in a restricted living environment like a retirement home or HOA that does not allow antennas Allstar gives you the radio feel without an obtrusive antenna or big expense. You could setup a simplex node in your apartment or dwelling and have local coverage with in a few blocks to several miles between your handheld and you own personal node. Couple that with the ability to setup connections to all your buddies that also have nodes and you have your own talk group with everyone using real radios to access. You also have the ability to access via computer, phone, Echolink, and many other methods.
The advent of the inexpensive small board computers and very easy
scripted setup make getting on Allstar easier than ever. A savvy user
who has the ability to make some modifications and build some simple
circuity could get on Allstar with very low cost.
For repeater operators Allstar is a complete repeater controller that probably has more flexibility and capability than any repeater controller on the market. It is certainly cheaper. Because it runs in Linux and is open source the user has full flexibility to use scripts, timers, multiple ports, etc. to do just about anything they would want.
So if you like to call your own shots come join the friendly world of Allstar. You will be surprised how easy it is to get started and a world of adventure awaits you.
Unfair to choose:
As can be seen from the above one cannot choose between the two applications which one is the better. It would be unfair as AllStar differs from Echolink in many ways. The same can be said about IRLP or for that matter any VOIP application. I think every Echolink or IRLP user has a list of things he/she wished they could do; for me, Allstar is king and it satisfy all my needs. Allstar link is easily the best thing to happen to VOIP radio. This
software and a R100 USB sound fob exceeds the capability of any Echolink
or IRLP station. Lets move on.
Let me then rephrase the question.
Which one has the better audio, Echolink or AllStar?
Now we can draw a line and compare audio of both these applications.
Here is a few audio suggestions that users can look into when using Echolink:
Here is a few audio suggestions that users can look into when using AllStar:
Without going in to much detail here is a summary of Echolink and AllStar audio quality. Echolink has the two rx and tx gain levels. The default levels at least for me have always been adequate. Echolink levels are all over the place and you cannot adjust for one and expect it to be good for someone else on Echolink. You need to set it at a happy medium and the default levels should be that. Most Echolink users are at computers using a myriad of input devices and many have there levels set completely wrong. You can't correct for that with levels at the Allstar end. The important thing is that the levels do not clip so you want to select the maximum incoming level you can find and set that to just below the maximum digital level. If someone comes in lower then so be it. The problem is at their end. Echolink use the old GSM Codec. The quality of the GSM coded speech is quite poor by modern standards but at the time of development (early 1990s) it was a good compromise between computational complexity and quality. Although GSM is still used today, it results in poor audio quality. As explained above Echolink audio does not have the quality audio of Allstar but if you're not fuzzy about audio then Echolink might be your choice. It is also highly dependent on the source. Some of the smart phones using Echolink sound quite good while computer mics and levels are all over the place. Echolink does not have the quality of Allstar but it is certainly a step above some of the digital FM modes.
On the other hand if you prefer the best VOIP audio out there then AllStar is you first choice. Linked and repeated audio is superb. Allstar has a range of codecs available. In software, an audio codec is a computer program implementing an algorithm that compresses and decompresses digital audio data according to a given audio file or streaming media audio coding format. In hardware, audio codec refers to a single device that encodes analog audio as digital signals and decodes digital back into analog. This is used in sound cards that support both audio in and out, for instance. Audio quality is very important and that is why I use simpleusb as opposed to the usbradio channel driver. All of the code uses simpleusb by default. The reason for this is simple, usbradio introduces distorion into the audio path that is readily apparent. I know there are some who can't hear this or choose to ignore it but I can tell you it is in fact there and very irritating to listen to. The other problem is it is more apparent on transmitted audio, audio which you send to the network then what you hear back. So you are often not aware of it until someone tells you. The hamvoip code has the ILBC (Internet low bandwidth codec) installed. It uses about 1/3 of the bandwidth of the G726AA codec which is most commonly used for Allstar. Its audio quality is very good and very close to G726. Most people would not be able to tell the difference. The reason it is not used by default is that it poorer "squelching" than G726. G726 on a poor connection mutes dropouts whereas ILBC tends to allow the garbage sounds through. It is recommend that cell phone hotspot users try ILBC but anyone trying to conserve bandwidth can give it a try. Most would not have that issue as voice is rather low bandwidth compared to most other things we do on the Internet nowadays. Codec settings are in /etc/asterisk/iax.conf. Ordering sets priority but if the called node does not have the codec you request then it will take the next one down the list until it is satisfied.
Here is a real time comparison of AllStar and Echolink audio quality: Click HERE.
Finally: I want to remind everyone that Echolink is NOT Allstar in that both audio quality and leveling are never going to be as good. It is included in Allstar as a bridge to Echolink users. When I can I always try to encourage Echolink users to make the jump and come over to the real VOIP world of Allstar.
Well AllStar is by far the winner when it comes to good audio. Audio quality is far better than EchoLink or IRLP or for that matter any other amateur radio VOIP application. So why wait, use the best application out there called AllStar.
