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Competitors / 3CX

3CX Alternatives 2024

Looking for a cloud phone solution that’s better than 3CX? Learn about the top 5 3CX alternatives and competitors with features that will improve your business communication.

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Why move away from 3CX?

You need a flexible solution

Unlike many players, the Cyrus-based company 3CX is not an operator. Therefore, when you choose 3CX, it only offers software and not a complete solution capable of managing your lines and numbers. This is in direct contrast with Ringover, which provides a full-service business phone system. You just set up your account and start making unlimited calls!

3CX’s limitation can be quite restrictive for a growing company facing the typical needs and challenges that come along with growth: adding new lines, configuring accounts, training new recruits, etc. In fact, you will have to go through an operator, stacking on services and intermediaries and making your business communications system significantly more complex. Meanwhile, most of these tasks can be accomplished easily and independently on the Ringover interface.

Moreover, 3CX’s paid plans are exclusively distributed through a network of operator partners that’s impossible to bypass. You cannot deal directly with 3CX in case of a problem and must contact their partner. While you can obtain technical support from 3CX, you’ll pay 75€ per support ticket. Compare that to a service like ours, which has support available and online documentation.

You need a flexible solution

You need integrations with your tech stack

A business is a highly complex system–filling all the various technical needs with just one solution could be possible, but it may not serve your business well.

As a result, you’ll need to ensure your software is fully compatible and they can at least communicate with each other. To connect software, software publishers generally offer APIs or Webhooks, which allow for connections between software. This is commonly referred to as business tool integration.

However, not all software vendors have the same integration catalog, and not all integrations are equal in terms of functionality or ease of installation. At 3CX, it can be extremely complicated to configure an integration. In some cases, you’ll even need an external service provider or help from the 3CX operator partner who sold you the solution. This is very complicated compared to working with Ringover, whose library of integrations is publicly available online. You can check to make sure we have the integrations you need before even beginning your free trial!

You need integrations with your tech stack

You need clear pricing

As mentioned above, 3CX does not sell its solution on its website. Instead, you go through one of its operator partners.

There are many partners and they are sorted into levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium) based on business objectives and expertise. As a result, prices vary considerably from one provider to another.

In the end, figuring out pricing with 3CX and its partners can be time-consuming and complicated. You may end up struggling to have a clear vision of how much you will spend each month on your corporate communication. Why bother jumping through hoops to figure out how much you will pay, when you can simply consult pricing plans online? Check out our available plans to immediately understand what plan would be best for your needs.

You need clear pricing

What makes Ringover better than 3CX?

Taking the above points into consideration, the solution Ringover is the best alternative to 3CX. Indeed, this provider is both a software editor and a telephone operator. You can deal directly with Ringover and fine-tune your offer. In terms of scalability, this solution also stands out because it allows you to easily add and remove phone lines (portability, mobile numbers, foreign virtual numbers, etc.). Finally, the software has an easy-to-use interface.

SolutionPriceFeaturesEase of Use
Ringover
Cloudtalk
RingCentral
Vonage
Mitel

Alternative #1: Ringover

The best alternative to 3CX in terms of functionality, flexibility and ease of use is Ringover. Ringover is extremely easy to use and configure. Plus, its installation and use doesn’t require any special technical knowledge.

Ringover is also distinguished by its high degree of customization, which allows companies to respond more precisely to the needs of their prospects, customers, and other contacts.

This 100% cloud communication solution offers all the tools for a perfect management of its business telephony for both telephone prospecting and after-sales service. And its intuitive interface ensures you can easily configure it to your needs.

When it comes to pricing clarity, Ringover is also the winner. Companies know exactly how much their telecommunications will cost them each month, and have no unpleasant surprises. On the support side, companies can contact the editor directly for free if they have any concerns.

Take advantage of monthly packages starting at $21 (per month and per user). These include essential functions for productivity and collaboration, not to mention performance monitoring.

Note that it’s possible to obtain a personalized quote to design an offer that’s 100% adapted to your needs.

Alternative #1: Ringover

Top advantages over 3CX

  • Free 7-day trial.
  • Customizable plans.
  • Performance analysis dashboard.
  • 50+ integrations available.
  • Unlimited calls.

Watch the video explanation

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Alternative #2: Cloudtalk

Cloudtalk is a solution developed by a company based in Slovakia. It is a 100% cloud-based platform for companies of all sizes. Overall, it is a good solution. It has the advantage over 3CX of being quite flexible.

Nevertheless, the Cloudtalk platform is regularly criticized for having bugs and poor call quality. Regarding price, the company has three plans available, with prices differing based on the included features. The cheapest offer is still at $25/month/user. It is possible to customize the plan, however .

Pros

  • Intuitive interface.
  • Versatility thanks to omnichannel.

Cons

  • Call quality.
  • Rough technical support.
  • Lack of transparency on pricing.
Alternative #2: Cloudtalk

Image source: www.cloudtalk.io on the 2023/03/13

Alternative #3: RingCentral

Ringcentral is an American company founded in 1999 and specialized in business telecommunications. They offer four packages whose prices vary according to the features included, as well as the number of users.

Unfortunately, Ringcentral does not offer video conferencing in its essentials package, nor a multi-level interactive voice response. This means that you will have to use third-party solutions for these needs or switch to the higher-end plans to benefit from them.

Moreover, even an essential feature like call recording is only available from the Premium package accessible at $22.99 per month per user for 2 to 19 users.

Pros

  • Rich integration catalog.
  • Versatility thanks to omnichannel.

Cons

  • Customer service is difficult to reach.
  • Complicated IVR configuration.
  • Confusing pricing.
Alternative #3: RingCentral

Image source: www.ringcentral.com on the 2023/02/09

Alternative #4: Vonage

Vonage is an American company founded in 1998 and was one of the forerunners of IP telephony. The company has made a wave of acquisitions over the past decade to consolidate its position and become one of the leaders in cloud communications.

Vonage offers a variety of solutions for all types of businesses, from various APIs to contact center software to conversational selling tools. Vonage Contact Center software is offered in 4 packages (Express, Essentials, Select and Premium) whose prices are unfortunately not displayed on their website.

Pros

Cons

  • Frequent bugs.
  • Unintuitive interface.
  • Lack of transparency on prices.
Alternative #4: Vonage

Image source: www.vonage.com on the 2023/02/09

Alternative #5: Mitel

Present since the early 1970s in the business telecommunications market, this Canadian company has greatly contributed to the democratization of cloud telephony.

Like 3CX, Mitel is a hardphone specialist but also provides a software interface and other tools for collaboration and omnichannel communication. The company is a long-time partner of operators such as Orange and Bouygues Telecom.

Pros

  • Hardphone specialist.
  • Reliability .

Cons

  • Choosing the right package can be confusing.
  • The basic package may not include all the essential features.
Alternative #5: Mitel

Image source: www.mitel.com on the 2023/02/09

What is 3CX?

With almost 20 years of presence in the corporate telephony market, 3CX is a Cyprus-based company that has been a leader in the hardphone business–primarily SIP telephony and phone system rationalization. The company provides a software communication solution but not telephone lines.
Moreover, 3CX only distributes its paid versions through its partner network. Still, 3CX’s free offering is interesting because it offers a number of relevant features such as videoconferencing and WhatsApp integration.

What is 3CX?

Image source: www.3cx.com on the 2023/06/13

3CX Pricing

3CX offers its business communication solution in 4 packages: Startup Free, Startup Pro, Pro and Enterprise. The first offer is, as its name indicates, free. However, it is rather limited and does not allow you to take advantage of an interactive voice server to improve your telephone reception.
In terms of pricing, 3CX seems interesting, especially the Pro package available for $295/year for up to 4 simultaneous calls. If you make 8 simultaneous calls for example you will pay $515/year. However, to the prices displayed on the site, you generally have to add the cost of the services provided by the company’s partners. Indeed, the paid versions of 3CX are exclusively sold by partners. In addition, to get direct technical support from 3CX, you will have to pay $75 per ticket.

3CX Pricing

Image source: www.3cx.com on the 2023/06/13

What is 3CX? 3CX Pricing

Image source: www.3cx.com on the 2023/06/13

3CX Alternatives FAQs

  • How much does 3CX cost?
  • Does 3CX offer technical support?
  • Who are the top 3CX competitors?
  • What is the best alternative to 3CX?

How much does 3CX cost?

The basic 3CX solution, called Startup Free, is completely free and limited to 10 users. However, it is also very limited in terms of features, although it does include WhatsApp integration.

The second 3CX package is called Startup Pro. It includes all the features of Startup Free with additional features such as multi-level IVR, call routing and call monitoring. This offer is also limited to 10 users. Startup Pro will cost you $175/year.

To switch to a more complete solution, you will have to spend $295 but this time, the limitation will not be based on the number of users, but on the number of simultaneous calls made. In the Pro package, you benefit from the telephone integration in your CRM or the call recording function.

Beware, if you exceed the number of simultaneous calls allowed, you will pay more. As an example, the basic Pro offer is limited to four simultaneous calls and costs $295/year. To switch to eight simultaneous calls you will have to spend $515/year.

Finally, 3CX offers a more complete package called Enterprise that allows you to take advantage of skill-based routing or video conferencing for up to 250 participants for $330/year (four simultaneous calls). Note that the paid versions of 3CX are distributed and installed exclusively by the company’s partners. To the prices displayed on the site, you will most likely have to add the cost of services for installation, training, or technical support. But that’s not all. 3CX is not an operator and you will have to open your telephone lines with another provider.

Does 3CX offer technical support?

Yes, but it is not free. If you have subscribed to one of the 3CX offers, the best thing to do is to contact the provider who sold you the solution to get help. However, if you want to deal directly with 3CX for a technical problem, you will have to spend $75 per support ticket.

Who are the top 3CX competitors?

There are many competitors to 3CX. Nevertheless, some like Ringcentral, Ringover, or Cloudtalk stand out. Indeed, they have the advantage of proposing more flexible and clear offers. We can also mention alternatives such as Mitel and Vonage, but these solutions also suffer from a certain lack of price transparency.

What is the best alternative to 3CX?

3CX is an attractive offer thanks to its low cost and SIP telephony expertise. However, it is not the most flexible and modern business communication solution. A growing company will quickly find itself limited with 3CX.

The best alternative to 3CX is Ringover, which in addition to providing you with its communication software, will provide you with real technical support at no extra cost. In addition, you can port your telephone lines with Ringover. This solution is more flexible and intuitive than 3CX and is particularly suitable for companies looking for stable, scalable and efficient solutions.