About 3CX
3CX is a software-based PBX solution with a cloud-hosted option, offering users web conferencing, CRM integration, live chat, instant messaging, and native mobile apps.
3CX includes a softphone for Windows, enabling users to make and receive calls through their computers, removing the need for phone hardware and allowing for work outside the office. An inbuilt multi-view switchboard allows users to manage incoming calls, view all colleague availability, and drag-and-drop calls for transfer. With CRM integration, users can launch calls in a single click from within their CRM software, and customer information appears as a pop-up on inbound calls. Caller ID is used to identify customers and automatically log the call in their customer record, with no need for manual call logging.
3CX’s smartphone clients for Android and iOS allow users to make and receive calls over 3G or WiFi, and each include an inbuilt SIP tunnel to prevent issues with remote firewalls. Incoming calls and messages trigger push notifications, allowing phones to be left on standby to reduce battery drain. Users can update their availability statuses through the app, and view their colleagues’ statuses. Through 3CX’s mobile apps, users can make and receive calls from their mobile phone without the need to give out their personal phone number.
3CX offers users clientless web conferencing, with no need to download additional software or plugins, as all voice and video communication is based in a web browser. Video conferencing is free for up to 25 participants, with no per-user licensing or limit on the number of user accounts, and pricing is based on the number of participants per call. Also included are tools for remote control and assistance, and for feedback collection.
Pricing starting from:
R 0,00/year
- Free Trial
- One Time License
- Free
- Subscription
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Key benefits of 3CX
Native iOS and Android apps allow users to make free calls to the office, and receive calls without the need to give out their personal phone number.
Customizable statuses enable users to see which colleagues are available and who should not be disturbed.
Integrated web conferencing allows users to make and join video conferences without the need for additional software or plugins.
CRM integration offers users one-click calls from within their CRM software, customer records brought up automatically as call pop-ups, and inbound call logging.
Live chat with website visitors. Easily switch to a call or video.
Devices
Business size
Markets
Supported Languages
Pricing starting from:
R 0,00/year
- Free Trial
- One Time License
- Free
- Subscription
Compare with Popular Alternatives
Images



Features
Total features of 3CX: 28
- Automatic Backup
- CRM Integration
- Call Monitoring
- Call Recording
- Call Reporting
- Call Routing
- Call Tracking
- Call Transfer
- Callback Scheduling
- Chat
- Collaboration Tools
- Communication Management
- Conferencing
- Feedback Collection
- Instant Messaging
- Microsoft Outlook Integration
- Multi-Channel Communication
- Queue Manager
- Real Time Analytics
- Real Time Data
- Receiving
- SLA Management
- Status Reporting
- Surveys & Feedback
- Two-Way Audio & Video
- Video Call Recording
- Video Conferencing
- Voice Mail
Alternatives
Intermedia Unite
OnSIP
VICIdial
8x8 Virtual Office
Reviews
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- Industry: Information Technology & Services
- Company size: 11-50 Employees
- Used Daily for 2+ years
-
Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
The best VoIP phone system for small businesses
Reviewed on 2019/11/29
We had a customer that had 3 different companies within the walls of the building. We were able to...
We had a customer that had 3 different companies within the walls of the building. We were able to configure each company separately so that their rules, hours, and each had different SIP providers that needed to be configured up properly. Each had their own digital assistant and the system setup took only a few hours to complete with all the complexity that was involved. Technical support was outstanding in assisting with the troubleshooting and setup.
Pros
The 8 concurrent call Standard License is free to all companies. This makes it a perfect solution for churches, small businesses, and as the small businesses grow into medium sized businesses, the annual cost for the license with higher concurrent calls is nominal. When companies switch from the POTS lines, they need to figure out a good solution for VoIP. 3cx is lower cost than RingCentral and 8x8 as well as many other competing VoIP softwares.
Cons
Putting in supported APAP adapters is great, but when a customer has a non supported adapter, it usually works, but doesn't play nicely with the software as far as configuring it easily.
Response from 3CX
Sincere thanks for your feedback.
- Industry: Computer Software
- Company size: 11-50 Employees
- Used Daily for 1+ year
-
Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
Serves small businesses very well for free.
Reviewed on 2020/01/18
In my opinion, it is a very good tool and hardly ever had problems, because the tool is very stable...
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.
Response from 3CX
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.
- Industry: Nonprofit Organization Management
- Company size: 51-200 Employees
- Used Daily for 6-12 months
-
Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
Best for Work From Home
Reviewed on 2021/01/14
We needed our staff to be able to call clients and donors safely when they are working from home...
We needed our staff to be able to call clients and donors safely when they are working from home and we don't want them to use their personal numbers so this was a great option
Pros
It is useable on your phone or computer
Can see who in office is online
Can call and chat
Make calls from this number and not use your phone number
Cons
Have to automatically switch from available to away
No way to turn off/log off
Have to dial 1 before dialing out
No voicemail
Response from 3CX
Thank you for your review. You may configure voicemail by following these steps: https://www.3cx.com/3cxacademy/videos/basic/voicemail-configuration/

- Industry: Telecommunications
- Company size: 11-50 Employees
- Used Weekly for 2+ years
-
Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 4.0 /10
Effective Phone System For Small, Simple Offices
Reviewed on 2019/01/24
For under 50 extensions and without any special functionality, 3CX is a very user-friendly...
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.
- Industry: Information Technology & Services
- Company size: 201-500 Employees
- Used Daily for 2+ years
-
Review Source
Overall rating
- Value for Money
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
- Likelihood to recommend 10.0 /10
3CX VOIP Mobile Phone Application
Reviewed on 2020/11/20
Pros
3CX works great I can get my office line phone call directly on my iPhone as well as VM's.
Cons
I have nothing bad to say about 3CX way to go.
Response from 3CX
Thank you we're happy to hear that 3CX has helped you save
3CX FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions for 3CX.Q. What type of pricing plans does 3CX offer?
3CX offers the following pricing plans:
- Starting from: R 0,00/year
- Pricing model: One Time License, Free, Subscription
- Free Trial: Available
1 year free, no credit card required.
Q. What are the main features of 3CX?
3CX offers the following features:
- Barge in, listen in & whisper
- CRM integrations
- Call logging
- Call parking, pickup and transfer
- Call pop-ups
- Call queueing
- Call queuing
- Call recording
- Classroom features - surveying and feedback
- Click-to-call
- Colleague statuses
- Digital receptionist/IVR
- Faxes converted to PDF
- Instant messaging
- Meeting recording
- Message waiting indicator
- Microsoft Outlook integration
- Queue reporting
- Real time statistics
- Remote assistance
- SLA alerting/reporting
- Scheduled backup
- Screen sharing
- Voicemails forwarded to inbox
- Web video conferencing
- iOS and Android apps
Q. Who are the typical users of 3CX?
3CX has the following typical customers:
Small Business, Large Enterprises, Mid Size Business
Q. What languages does 3CX support?
3CX supports the following languages:
Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Czech, Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Q. Does 3CX support mobile devices?
3CX supports the following devices:
Android, iPhone, iPad
Q. What other apps does 3CX integrate with?
3CX integrates with the following applications:
ALICE Receptionist, Bitrix24, HaloPSA, Nutshell, OnSched, SIPTRUNK, Teamleader, Tenfold, TriSys Recruitment Software, thinQ
Q. What level of support does 3CX offer?
3CX offers the following support options:
Forum, Online Support, Phone Support, FAQs, Video Tutorials
Related categories
See all software categories found for 3CX.
- VoIP Software
- Cloud PBX Software
- Unified Communications Software
- Business Phone Systems Software
- Softphone Software
- Telephony Software
- Instant Messaging Software
- Team Communication Software
- Remote Work Software
- Call Centre Software
- Contact Centre Software
- Cloud Communication Platform
- Live Chat Software