Side by side
3CX vs FreePBX
Both stand on business phone systems. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan WebWindowsLinux+3
Visit 3CX Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2
FreePBX provides a broad, free foundation for customized IP phone systems across self-hosted and other supported environments. Plan for installation resources and migration work when moving from an earlier version.
Visit FreePBXThe facts
| 3CX | FreePBX | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Web, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android, Mac | Android, iPhone, Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Basic: $300 a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 8 |
| Maker | 3CX | Not published |
| Website | 3cx.com | freepbx.org |
| On business phone systems | #1 of 167 | #4 of 167 |
3CX: what it does well
FreePBX: what it does well
- Free to download and use
- Web GUI for managing Asterisk
- Advanced routing and voicemail transcription
- Open standards and SIP endpoint compatibility
- Community and paid support options
What to know first
- Version upgrades require fresh installation and data transfer
- Debian installation lists 2 GB RAM and 20 GB disk
- Commercial modules use separate licenses