What Is 3CX?
3CX is an open standards IP PBX that offers complete Unified Communications, out of the box. Suitable for any business size or industry. With 3CX employees can work efficiently from anywhere. Video conferencing, live chat, mobile apps and advanced contact center features are all included at a fraction of the cost.
Choose to deploy on premise, in your private cloud account or opt for 3CX to host your PBX for you. Whatever your preference, you are guaranteed a hassle-free solution.
Who Uses 3CX?
3CX is an open standards IP PBX that offers complete Unified Communications, out of the box. Suitable for any business size or industry that wants to cut on telco costs.
3CX Details
3CX
Founded in 2008
3CX pricing
Starting Price:
- Yes, has free trial
- Yes, has free version
3CX has a free version and offers a free trial. 3CX paid version starts at £0.00/year.
Pricing plans get a free trial3CX Details
3CX
Founded in 2008
3CX videos and images
3CX deployment and support
Support
- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support
- Chat
Deployment
- Cloud, SaaS, Web-based
- Mac (Desktop)
- Windows (Desktop)
- Linux (Desktop)
- Windows (On-Premise)
- Linux (On-Premise)
- Android (Mobile)
- iPhone (Mobile)
- iPad (Mobile)
Training
- In Person
- Live Online
- Webinars
- Documentation
- Videos
Features of 3CX
Business Phone Systems
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Auto-Dialer
- Automated Attendant
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call Conferencing
- Call Disposition
- Call List Management
- Call Logging
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Scripting
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Callback Scheduling
- Caller ID
- Chat/Messaging
- Collaboration Tools
- Communication Management
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Caller ID
- Customisable Reports
- Employee Directory
- Fax Management
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Mobile Access
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- PBX
- Predictive Dialer
- Purchasing & Receiving
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Reporting & Statistics
- SMS Messaging
- Third Party Integrations
- Video Conferencing
- Virtual Call Centre
- Voice Mail
Call Centre Software
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts / Escalation
- Auto-Dialer
- Automatic Call Distribution
- Blended Call Centre
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call List Management
- Call Logging
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Scripting
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Callback Scheduling
- Caller ID
- Campaign Management
- Chat/Messaging
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Reports
- Email Management
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Inbound Call Centre
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Manual Dialer
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Outbound Call Centre
- Performance Management
- Predictive Dialer
- Progressive Dialer
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Real-Time Chat
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Social Media Integration
- Third Party Integrations
- Voice Mail
- Workflow Management
Call Recording Software
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Archiving & Retention
- Auto-Dialer
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call Disposition
- Call List Management
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Tagging
- Call Tracking
- Call Transcription
- Call Transfer
- Caller ID
- Campaign Management
- Chat/Messaging
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Conferencing
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Reports
- Event Triggered Actions
- File Transfer
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- On-Demand Recording
- Performance Management
- Performance Metrics
- Predictive Dialer
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Recording
- Reporting & Statistics
- SMS Messaging
- Scheduled Recording
- Tagging
- Third Party Integrations
- Voice Mail
Cloud Communication Platform
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audio / Video Conferencing
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Caller ID
- Chat Transcript
- Chat/Messaging
- Communication Management
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Conferencing
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Branding
- Fax Management
- File Sharing
- File Transfer
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Mobile Access
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Multi-Language
- Purchasing & Receiving
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Notifications
- Real Time Reporting
- Real-time Updates
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- SMS Marketing
- SMS Messaging
- Text to Speech
- Third Party Integrations
- Two-Way Audio & Video
- Video Conferencing
- Voice Mail
Cloud PBX Software
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call Disposition
- Call List Management
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Callback Scheduling
- Caller ID
- Chat/Messaging
- Collaboration Tools
- Communication Management
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Conferencing
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Caller ID
- Customisable Reports
- Fax Management
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Mobile Access
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- On-Demand Recording
- Purchasing & Receiving
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Real-time Updates
- Reporting & Statistics
- Ring Groups
- Role-Based Permissions
- SIP Trunking
- SMS Messaging
- Third Party Integrations
- Video Conferencing
- Virtual Extensions
- Voice Mail
Contact Centre Software
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Agent Interface
- Alerts/Notifications
- Auto-Dialer
- Automated Routing
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call List Management
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Scripting
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Callback Scheduling
- Caller ID
- Campaign Management
- Chat/Messaging
- Chatbot
- Collaboration Tools
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customer History
- Customisable Reports
- Data Import/Export
- Email Management
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Performance Management
- Predictive Dialer
- Quality Management
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Social Media Integration
- Third Party Integrations
- Voice Mail
- Workforce Management
Live Chat Software
- @mentions
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Auto-Responders
- CRM
- Calendar Management
- Canned Responses
- Chat/Messaging
- Collaboration Tools
- Contact Management
- Content Management
- Customer History
- Customisable Branding
- Document Storage
- Drag & Drop
- Email Management
- File Management
- File Sharing
- File Transfer
- Geotargeting
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Meeting Management
- Mobile Access
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Offline Form
- Proactive Chat
- Progress Tracking
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Notifications
- Real-time Consumer-facing Chat
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- Screen Sharing
- Search/Filter
- Single Sign On
- Support Ticket Management
- Surveys & Feedback
- Tagging
- Task Progress Tracking
- Task Scheduling
- Third Party Integrations
- Transcripts/Chat History
- Transfers/Routing
- Video Conferencing
- Website Visitor Tracking
- Workflow Management
Softphone Software
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Auto-Dialer
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Center Integration
- Call Centre Management
- Call Disposition
- Call List Management
- Call Logging
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Caller ID
- Caller Profiles
- Chat/Messaging
- Communication Management
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Conferencing
- Contact Management
- Customisable Caller ID
- Fax Management
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Mobile Access
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Multiple User Accounts
- On-Demand Recording
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Reporting & Statistics
- SMS Messaging
- Spam Blocker
- Third Party Integrations
- Two-Way Audio & Video
- Video Call Recording
- Video Conferencing
- VoIP Connection
- Voice Mail
- Workflow Management
Team Communication Software
- @mentions
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Activity/News Feed
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audio Calls
- Calendar Management
- Calendar Sync
- Chat/Messaging
- Collaboration Tools
- Commenting/Notes
- Communication Management
- Conferencing
- Contact Management
- Content Management
- Customisable Branding
- Data Import/Export
- Discussions / Forums
- Document Management
- Document Storage
- Drag & Drop
- Email Management
- File Management
- File Sharing
- File Transfer
- Forum / Discussion Board
- Live Chat
- Meeting Management
- Mobile Access
- Progress Tracking
- Project Management
- Projections
- Real Time Notifications
- Real-Time Chat
- Real-time Updates
- Reminders
- Reporting & Statistics
- Search/Filter
- Single Sign On
- Surveys & Feedback
- Tagging
- Task Management
- Task Progress Tracking
- Task Scheduling
- Third Party Integrations
- Two-Way Audio & Video
- Video Conferencing
- Workflow Management
Telephony Software
- API
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Auto-Dialer
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call Disposition
- Call List Management
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Scripting
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Callback Scheduling
- Caller ID
- Chat/Messaging
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Conferencing
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Reports
- Help Desk Management
- Hotkeys
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Knowledge Base Management
- Live Chat
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Multiple Parties
- Open Database Design
- Predictive Dialer
- Purchasing & Receiving
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Reporting & Statistics
- Reporting/Analytics
- SMS Messaging
- Telemarketing Management
- Text to Speech
- Third Party Integrations
- Video Conferencing
- VoIP
- VoIP Connection
- Voice Mail
Unified Communications Software
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Active Directory Integration
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Audio / Video Conferencing
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Calendar Management
- Call Centre Management
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Caller ID
- Chat/Messaging
- Communication Management
- Compliance Management
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Conferencing
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Reports
- Fax Management
- File Sharing
- File Transfer
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Meeting Management
- Mobile Access
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Multi-User Collaboration
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Notifications
- Real Time Reporting
- Real-time Updates
- Reporting & Statistics
- SMS Messaging
- SSL Security
- Single Sign On
- Third Party Integrations
- Two-Way Audio & Video
- Video Call Recording
- Video Conferencing
- Video Support
- Voice Mail
VoIP Software
- API
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Activity Tracking
- Alerts/Notifications
- Auto-Dialer
- Automatic Call Distribution
- CRM
- Call Centre Management
- Call Conferencing
- Call Disposition
- Call List Management
- Call Monitoring
- Call Queues
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Screening
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Caller ID
- Chat/Messaging
- Computer Telephony Integration
- Conferencing
- Contact Database
- Contact Management
- Customisable Reports
- Fax Management
- IVR / Voice Recognition
- Interaction Tracking
- Live Chat
- Mobile Access
- Monitoring
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Online Voice Transmission
- Purchasing & Receiving
- Queue Management
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Real Time Monitoring
- Real Time Reporting
- Reporting & Statistics
- Role-Based Permissions
- SIP Trunking
- SMS Messaging
- Third Party Integrations
- Unified Communications
- Video Conferencing
- Voice Mail
- Voicemail Transcription
Alternatives to 3CX
More 3CX alternatives
Christoph D.
3CX offers everything you need for low budget
Comments: well it is a phone system. We use 3CX to talk to our customers, we use it as webconference solution and we use it as a very lowlevel slack alternative.
Pros:
3CX is a solid voip solution that offers all the features and functionality an ordinary team or company needs. Installation and maintenance is simple. The webclient is getting better and better with every version. Speaking quality is great if you use the right codecs or hard phones. We love 3CX and use this pbx since many years.
Cons:
There is no documented API. Either something is supported or not. There is no possibility to get individual implementations.
3CX Response
2 months ago
Hi Christoph. Thank you so much for your detailed review. We are happy to hear that you are happy with 3CX over the years! Currently the only Public API that we have is for our WebMeeting Platform: https://www.3cx.com/blog/releases/video-conference-rest-api/ We do plan in the future to also have another REST API that would allow to perform more actions directly related to the calls and 3CX Server, but at the time of writing, this has yet to be released.
Alexander F.
Serves small businesses very well for free.
Comments: In my opinion, it is a very good tool and hardly ever had problems, because the tool is very stable and with a very good usability, serving very well small businesses.
Pros:
• It is free. • Assists in the company's internal communication. • It is always updated with improvements. • Ease of receiving and transferring calls. • Ease of configuration and installation by the end user.
Cons:
• We used the trial version quietly for 1 year, but due to technical problems due to a codec, it caused a major internal problem where we stayed 3 days without a phone. For this reason the support of the company that provides the service asked us to change the application.
3CX Response
2 years ago
We are sorry to hear that you had codec issues. Can you explain which codec was used and what issues it created? Codecs work using the SIP Offer - Answer model - a standard in SIP used for the update of session dialogs. This means that when a codec is offered by one endpoint (phone), and the receiving endpoint answers "no available codec" then a codec exchange occurs where both endpoints try to find one common codec (language) to use for their media. Like this every call is serviced and has more chances to get 2 way audio. It is important to tell us which codec you tried to use. Because firstly, we might have an issue to investigate or we might also give you an alternative codec you can use. We support all major codecs so I am surprised how the company that serves you recommended that you change the whole app. Nonetheless, thank you for your feedback. I will forward this to the development team.
Mmathabo M.
Great Telephone System
Comments: Just had voice quality issue there and there, but it was on the settings and it was resolved.
Pros:
During the first lock down when everyone was forced to work from work, we had 3CX Apps and making calls from home as if we are in the office. The App comes with the Instant Chat platform and Video Conference. It is cheaper to make phone calls from this system.
Cons:
The Microsoft Teams integration hasn't really worked for me, thwy should fix the availability status sync - like when one is in a meeting.
3CX Response
2 weeks ago
Hi Mmathabo. Thank you for the 5-star review. Currently, the availability status is not implemented but as you can see in our blog post in the following link, it is one of the next things on our to-do list! https://www.3cx.com/blog/releases/roadmap-microsoft-365/ Keep an eye out on our blog post and hopefully, we can convince you to give it another try when we have implemented this feature!
David L.
Effective Phone System For Small, Simple Offices
Comments: For under 50 extensions and without any special functionality, 3CX is a very user-friendly platform. However, for any project that requires any custom functionality, 3CX will simply not be able to offer help.
Pros:
The 3CX installer on both Linux and Windows is incredibly easy to use and users can go from nothing to a fully-featured phone system in less than 20 minutes. Once installed, the user interface is very clean and straightforward. The 3CX Softphone that can be installed on Windows and mac computers pairs effortlessly with 3CX provisioning files.
Cons:
3CX offers very little customization outside of the user interface, and commonly phone system managers will be simply unable to perform more-complex call routing. As an example, dynamic outbound routes are simply not possible outside of the overly-simple Outbound Routes tab, and you are limited to only prefix, length of destination, and from extension. Compared to FreePBX and FusionPBX, the ability to customize 3CX is almost non-existent. 3CX Support will 100% of the time deflect any technical issues to the carrier, and after numerous ticket responses later, they will finally admit to being able to help. SIP SRV records are completely broken and not compliant with the SIP RFC. It's hilarious how catastrophic this lack of functionality is. Faxing is completely broken. It will be a complete nightmare if you attempt to run T.38 faxing over a 3CX phone system.
Matthew D.
3CX - The Softphone that works
Comments: The day to day operation is more streamlined and at a management level, it helps keep track of those taking calls on out various teams. It also allows us to be away from our offices but take the mobile app with us and get our VM's via email... all positives and allows us to be more attentive.
Pros:
3CX has made it easier to maintain our calling network and allows us to bring its features outside of the office which aids in our day to day. The phone dial pad it self is very user friendly and the software it self has a very ease of use feel to it. As a manager it is nice to view, listen and transfer my teams calls on the fly - the logging system also allows me to keep track of activity within my teams.
Cons:
Not a ton of cons to be honest, there are some issues of delays from when you ask for a function (click delay) like looking up a contact from the address book and clicking to call the contact, sometimes there is a bit of a delay. The product could use a bit of a refresh look, but overall the ease of use and user friendly Softphone does hit it's marks.
Alternatives Considered: Cisco Jabber
Reasons for Switching to 3CX: As I understand it, it was about the features available and overall value of the product we were getting - the user interface were also big reasons.
3CX Response
2 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We are delighted that 3CX is proving to be a useful tool in your organisation.
