3CX is a leading provider of communication solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of tools that cater to the needs of businesses seeking cost-effective and scalable VoIP services. With the rise of remote work and flexible business operations, having a reliable communication system has never been more important. In this review, we’ll dive into the key products 3CX offers, pricing, and the pros and cons of its solutions to help UK businesses make informed decisions.
3CX products
3CX offers several solutions, with a primary focus on phone systems, unified communications, and contact centre tools. Here’s a breakdown of its main products:
| Feature | Standard Edition (Free) | Pro Edition (£135/year for 8 calls) | Enterprise Edition (£167.50/year for 8 calls) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call Routing and Management | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video Conferencing | Up to 25 participants | Up to 100 participants | Up to 250 participants |
| Mobile Apps (iOS/Android) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Chat & Facebook Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Call Queuing | No | Yes | Yes |
| CRM Integration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Call Reporting and Analytics | No | Yes | Yes |
| Call Recording | No | No | Yes |
| Predictive Dialler | No | No | Yes |
| Max Web Conferencing Participants | 25 | 100 | 250 |
| Cost (per year) | £0 | £135 | £167.50 |
1. 3CX Phone System
The 3CX Phone System is a robust and flexible VoIP system that allows businesses to manage their communication needs in-house or via the cloud. It includes features such as:
- Call routing and management – Efficient call management with rules for incoming and outgoing calls.
- Video conferencing – Secure and user-friendly video meetings without the need for third-party applications.
- Mobile apps – Available on both iOS and Android, enabling staff to take calls on the go.
- Live chat and Facebook messaging integration – Interact with customers directly from your website or Facebook page.
2. 3CX Contact Centre
The 3CX Contact Centre solution is designed for businesses that require more advanced customer service capabilities. It offers:
- Call queuing – Manage incoming calls efficiently with options for automated responses and call transfers.
- Call reporting and analytics – In-depth insights into call durations, response times, and overall customer experience.
- CRM integration – Seamless integration with popular CRM systems, such as Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics.
3. 3CX Video Conferencing
In addition to its phone system, 3CX provides a video conferencing solution that is designed to work without the need for additional software. This service allows businesses to host virtual meetings, webinars, and training sessions with features like screen sharing and remote control.
3CX pricing
3CX pricing is structured around the number of users and concurrent calls, making it flexible for businesses of different sizes. Below is an overview of the pricing tiers as of 2024:
- Standard Edition (Free) – Ideal for small businesses or startups with basic communication needs. This edition includes essential VoIP features, mobile apps, and web conferencing for up to 25 participants.
- Pro Edition (£135 for 8 concurrent calls per year) – Suitable for growing businesses, this version supports features like call queues, advanced call reporting, and CRM integration. It also increases the number of participants in web meetings to 100.
- Enterprise Edition (£167.50 for 8 concurrent calls per year) – For larger enterprises that need advanced call centre features, the Enterprise Edition supports call recording, predictive diallers, and unlimited queues. It also allows for 250 web conferencing participants and adds additional scalability options.
3CX also offers hosted options, which are priced based on the number of simultaneous calls and the number of months or years for hosting. These cloud-hosted solutions eliminate the need for businesses to manage their own servers.
Pros of 3CX solutions
- Cost-effective – 3CX offers competitive pricing, with a free option that includes many useful features. The Pro and Enterprise editions offer advanced features without a high price tag compared to competitors.
- Flexible deployment options – Businesses can choose between on-premise or cloud-hosted solutions depending on their preferences and requirements.
- Comprehensive feature set – From basic telephony to advanced contact centre features, 3CX provides a wide range of tools suitable for different business sizes.
- Ease of use – 3CX’s user interface is intuitive, allowing businesses to easily manage communications without needing deep technical expertise.
- Integration capabilities – The platform integrates well with popular CRMs and other third-party tools, which enhances productivity.
Cons of 3CX solutions
- Requires some technical knowledge for on-premise solutions – While the cloud-hosted options are straightforward, businesses opting for on-premise installations may need internal IT support or external assistance for setup and maintenance.
- Additional costs for certain features – Although the Standard Edition is free, businesses will need to upgrade to paid editions to unlock features such as advanced call reporting, queues, and CRM integrations.
- Scalability limitations on lower-tier plans – Smaller businesses that rapidly grow may find the features and capabilities of the Standard Edition restrictive, requiring an upgrade to Pro or Enterprise.
Is 3CX the right choice for your business?
3CX offers a powerful set of communication tools for businesses of all sizes. With flexible pricing options, a robust feature set, and the ability to scale, it’s well-suited for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as larger organisations. The free Standard Edition provides a solid entry point, while the Pro and Enterprise editions cater to growing businesses or those with more complex communication needs.
However, businesses that lack technical expertise may need to invest in support for on-premise solutions, and some advanced features do come with additional costs.
Overall, 3CX is a strong contender in the VoIP and unified communications space, offering UK businesses a scalable and cost-effective solution for their communication needs.
Alternatives
FAQ – 3CX pricing review
The 3CX Standard Edition is completely free, making it ideal for small businesses with basic communication needs. It includes features like call management, mobile apps, and video conferencing for up to 25 participants. Businesses can upgrade if they need additional functionalities.
The 3CX Pro Edition costs £135 per year for 8 simultaneous calls. This edition includes advanced features like call queues, CRM integration, and more participants in web conferencing (up to 100), making it suitable for growing businesses needing more robust communication tools.
The 3CX Enterprise Edition, priced at £167.50 per year for 8 simultaneous calls, offers advanced features like call recording, predictive dialling, and unlimited call queues. It also supports up to 250 participants in video conferencing, making it suitable for larger businesses with more complex communication needs.
Yes, 3CX offers hosted options at varying prices based on the number of simultaneous calls and hosting duration. The hosted service eliminates the need for on-premise infrastructure, but costs depend on factors like call volume and service length, providing flexibility for businesses.
Yes, you can upgrade from the free Standard Edition to the Pro or Enterprise editions at any time. Upgrading unlocks more advanced features like call queues, detailed reporting, and CRM integration, offering scalability as your business grows and communication needs increase.
3CX is generally considered more cost-effective compared to many competitors, especially with its free Standard Edition. The Pro and Enterprise editions offer advanced features at competitive prices, making 3CX an attractive option for businesses looking for affordable, scalable communication solutions.
No, video conferencing is included in all 3CX editions. The Standard Edition supports up to 25 participants, Pro Edition allows up to 100, and Enterprise Edition accommodates up to 250 participants, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses needing virtual meeting capabilities.
The main differences are in features and participant limits. The free Standard Edition offers basic features, while the Pro (£135/year) adds advanced tools like call queues and CRM integration. The Enterprise Edition (£167.50/year) offers premium features like call recording and predictive dialling.
3CX pricing is based on the number of simultaneous calls, not users or devices. This flexible pricing structure allows businesses to scale without incurring additional costs for each user, making it a more budget-friendly option for businesses with many employees.
Yes, 3CX offers discounts for multi-year subscriptions. Opting for a longer-term plan can reduce overall costs, providing businesses with a cost-effective solution for managing their communication needs over a more extended period while locking in current pricing rates.