There’s no denying the impact that cloud-based phone systems have had in recent years. When companies are looking to upgrade their existing phones to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), they typically are faced with the choice between 3CX and FreePBX. To the uninitiated, this can seem like a daunting decision, which is why we’ve put together this guide highlighting the differences and similarities between 3CX vs FreePBX and which one is the best choice for your business needs.
3CX vs FreePBX: What’s the Difference?
In essence, 3CX and FreePBX are both cloud-based VoIP phone systems that have brought voice communication to the digital age. However, the way they are deployed and structured differs.
3CX is an open-STANDARDs software, so API integrations is available. It’s easy to use and able to be personalized to fit your business regardless of size or industry. It is compatible with a wide variety of operating systems and platforms.
On the other hand, FreePBX is an open-source VoIP solution. This gives it even more flexibility and customization, but it requires much more upfront effort and ongoing maintenance. Think of it as getting a kit with the tools and materials to build your own furniture versus purchasing furniture already built but can be customized along the way.
Costs
All businesses want to cut costs, but most want to do it wisely. While there are differences in cost between 3CX vs FreePBX, there are also benefits and advantages that those costs purchase.
3CX is a purchasable service that can vary in price depending on the provider, the size of your business, and the scope of the work. This typically is tied to the number of calls you need to be able to take simultaneously (or “lines”). However, there are often limited free versions or trials of 3CX that small businesses can use.
As its name suggests, FreePBX has no cost as it’s an open-source model. While this makes it an attractive option for cost-sensitive businesses, it comes with some hidden expenses that you may only discover down the road. For example, you may need to hire a professional to set it up for you, purchase additional hardware to support it, and hire more professionals to perform maintenance if issues come up. These can easily add up to more than you would’ve spent on 3CX at a fraction of the hassle.
Scalability
One of the major advantages of VoIP phone systems is the flexibility that allows you to scale. While both 3CX and FreePBX provide this benefit, they have different applications and methods.
3CX is designed with scalability in mind, particularly for organizations that are anticipating expansion in the near future. Since you’re hosted on the cloud, all it takes is an adjustment of your license to increase the number of users or lines if you want to build out a new team or even establish a new office or location—a much better option than having to purchase more hardware or infrastructure.
FreePBX offers scalability as well but can come with some additional hardware requirements, new configurations for existing equipment, or upgrades to your server to allow for the expansion you’re seeking. This is still much better than having a traditional desk phone system using landlines, but extra obstacles to scaling can be problematic for small businesses looking to grow.
Features
When comparing 3CX vs FreePBX, you’ll find that both options are full of useful features which make either one a viable route. However, these features differ in their intuitiveness, the way they are configured, and how they are supported.
3CX phone systems are based on a unified communications platform. This combines voice, SMS, chat, and video conferencing all under one roof and can integrate seamlessly with your CRM right out of the box. From the start, you can have all of your contact history, information, transcripts, and communications at the tips of your fingers. 3CX provides a streamlined, easy-to-use interface that can be used and managed without advanced technical expertise.
FreePBX also has the potential to provide these benefits, but not out of the box. Think back to our furniture metaphor. You need to either build the system out the way you want it, or you need to hire a professional to perform the build out. Plus, if any of these features are not working as intended or you would like to make changes, you’ll need to hire someone with the technical knowledge to do so or you will need to acquire this expertise yourself.
Long-Term Benefits of 3CX
Overall, both 3CX and FreePBX can get you where you want to go, but they take different routes. Do you need a cheap solution, and are you prepared to put in the elbow grease to get things exactly the way you want them to be? If that’s the case, FreePBX might be the path for you.
However, if you are interested in working on your business rather than working in your business and want a VoIP solution that works for your business right out of the gate with little effort, 3CX is the perfect option.
- Easily Manage Your System – The intuitive console interface provided by 3CX phone systems ensures that anyone can easily update, manage, and configure your system without specialized knowledge.
- Enjoy More Flexibility – Businesses are moving away from on-site infrastructure in favor of streamlined cloud-based solutions. 3CX maximizes this effect by making the easy option even easier, allowing you to scale and adapt in ways the competition could only dream.
- Get Ongoing Support – 3CX comes with support teams of professionals as well as regular updates to keep things running smoothly and efficiently. With FreePBX, you’re often left to fend for yourself. Plus, 3CX support teams are experts in out-of-the-box systems, while professionals hired to work on a custom FreePBX system will need to be caught up to speed on your configuration before starting any work.
Overall, FreePBX gives you freedom and control over your system, which is great if you’re willing to put in the work and make a long-term technical commitment to maintain a custom configuration. With 3CX, you’re setting yourself up for less work and possibly less cost over the long haul. You may not be able to get absolutely everything you want in a custom system, but there is enough out-of-the-box flexibility to make sure that your business needs are met by your system.
How ACC Telecom Supports Businesses That Choose 3CX
You’ve already taken a significant step in the right direction by choosing to upgrade to a VoIP phone system, allowing you to grow and scale at a fraction of the cost and hassle. However, there are still critical decisions to be made including whether to go with 3CX or FreePBX for your cloud-based phone solutions. While either option is a step in the right direction, we hope that we’ve shown the advantages that 3CX has over FreePBX.
Here at ACC Telecom, we optimize your 3CX phone system for performance and tailor it to your business’s specific needs. It doesn’t matter if you’re making the transition from a previous PBX system or going from traditional landlines to cloud-based phones for the first time, we’re here to help guide you through these transitions. We’ll ensure that your business comes out on the other end more efficient, more cost-effective, and more customer-oriented than ever before.
Give us a call today to see how we can pair you with the 3CX system designed for your business.