Zoom vs 3CX – Comparing features and costs to help you choose

Two prominent names in the business communications landscape are Zoom and 3CX. Both offer powerful features, but they cater to different use cases and industries. This analysis provides a detailed comparison of Zoom vs 3CX to help UK businesses make an informed decision based on features, pricing, and business requirements.

Overview of Zoom vs 3CX

Feature/Category	Zoom	3CX
Primary Focus	Video conferencing, collaboration, VoIP	VoIP phone systems, PBX, call management
Video Conferencing	HD video, screen sharing, breakout rooms, webinars, supports large participant numbers (up to 1000 for webinars)	Video calls for up to 250 participants, screen sharing, whiteboard, chat
Phone System	Zoom Phone: cloud-based VoIP, call routing, voicemail, multi-device support	Advanced PBX system: IVR, call queues, call forwarding, recording, VoIP
Collaboration Tools	File sharing, team chat, integrated whiteboards, polls, breakout rooms, 3rd-party integrations (Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc.)	Basic team chat, presence, file sharing, CRM integration
Call Management	Basic call features within Zoom Phone	Advanced call management: IVR, call queues, auto-attendant, detailed reporting
Integration Options	Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Asana, Salesforce	CRM systems, VoIP providers, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace
Security	End-to-end encryption for meetings, passcodes, waiting rooms, enhanced privacy features	Encrypted VoIP calls, secure HTTPS provisioning, blacklisting, IP-based restrictions
Cloud Deployment	Fully cloud-based	Cloud or on-premise deployment
Ease of Use	Very user-friendly with intuitive interfaces	More technical setup required for PBX and VoIP systems
Mobile App	Full-featured mobile app for meetings, calls, and collaboration	Mobile app for managing calls and accessing PBX features
Scalability	Easily scalable for meetings, calls, webinars	Scalable for businesses with extensive call-handling needs
Customer Support	Available for paid plans (phone, chat, ticket)	3CX support available based on plan level, with access to 3CX partners
Free Plan	Available for video meetings with 40-minute limit for groups	Free plan for up to 10 participants and basic PBX features
Paid Plans	– Pro: £11.99/user/month for video conferencing – Business: £15.99/user/month – Phone: £8/user/month	– Standard: £135/year for 4 simultaneous calls – Pro: £200/year – Enterprise: £250/year
Best for	Businesses needing reliable video conferencing and collaboration tools	Businesses requiring advanced call handling, PBX systems, and customisable VoIP options

Key features comparison

Both Zoom and 3CX have robust feature sets, but the distinction comes down to their specialities.

Video conferencing and meetings

• Zoom is renowned for its high-quality video conferencing and easy-to-use meeting functionalities. It provides HD video and audio, screen sharing, and integrations with popular tools like Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar. Zoom’s webinar capabilities, breakout rooms, and virtual backgrounds further enhance the user experience. It’s built for collaboration, and the platform handles everything from one-on-one calls to webinars with thousands of participants.
• 3CX also offers video conferencing, but this is more of an add-on to its core PBX functionality. The 3CX WebMeeting feature supports video conferencing for up to 250 participants, depending on the plan, and includes screen sharing, whiteboarding, and chat functions. However, it doesn’t offer the same level of polish or scalability for large webinars as Zoom.

Phone systems

• Zoom Phone is a relatively new entrant in the business phone system space but has made significant inroads with its cloud-based VoIP offering. It provides features like call routing, voicemail, auto attendants, and the ability to make and receive calls from multiple devices. Zoom Phone is integrated into the broader Zoom platform, so users can seamlessly switch between video meetings and voice calls.
• 3CX excels in this area, being a fully-featured PBX system. It offers advanced call management features such as interactive voice response (IVR), call queues, call forwarding, recording, and detailed call reporting. 3CX is compatible with a wide range of VoIP providers and supports both on-premise and cloud-based deployment. This makes it ideal for businesses with high call volumes or those that need customisable call handling options.

Collaboration tools

• Zoom integrates a host of collaboration tools alongside its video meetings, including file sharing, instant messaging, and whiteboards. It has features such as breakout rooms, polls, and Q&A functions, which are useful for team collaboration and customer interactions. Zoom also integrates smoothly with various third-party applications, including Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Asana, to support workflows.
• 3CX offers basic collaboration features like team chat, presence, and file sharing, but it’s not as extensive as Zoom’s suite. While 3CX is primarily a telephony-focused solution, it does have integrations with CRM systems, allowing teams to manage customer relationships more effectively.

Security

Both platforms take security seriously, with encryption protocols and robust privacy measures in place.

• Zoom employs end-to-end encryption for meetings and offers additional security features such as waiting rooms, passcodes, and host control over participants. Zoom’s security has been enhanced significantly after early criticisms during the pandemic.
• 3CX provides encrypted VoIP calls, secure HTTPS provisioning, and the option to deploy the solution on-premise for businesses that prefer to have more control over their data. Its focus on VoIP security includes features such as blacklists and IP-based call restrictions.

Zoom vs 3CX pricing comparison

Pricing is a critical factor for many UK businesses, especially SMEs. Let’s take a look at the pricing models for Zoom vs 3CX.

Zoom pricing

Zoom offers a range of pricing tiers:

1. Zoom Free – The basic plan allows unlimited one-on-one meetings and group meetings of up to 40 minutes with a cap of 100 participants.
2. Zoom Pro – Priced at around £11.99 per month per user, this plan removes the meeting duration limit and adds features such as cloud recording, polling, and reporting.
3. Zoom Business – At approximately £15.99 per month per user, this plan is designed for small and medium-sized businesses, offering customisable meeting IDs, company branding, and integration with company SSO.
4. Zoom Enterprise – Priced on a quote basis, this is aimed at large organisations and includes unlimited cloud storage for recordings, webinars, and dedicated customer support.

The Zoom Phone service is an additional cost, starting at around £8 per user per month, depending on the calling plan (domestic or international).

3CX pricing

3CX uses a different pricing structure, which is based on simultaneous calls rather than per-user licensing:

1. 3CX Free – This plan is suitable for small businesses or startups and includes basic VoIP features and up to 10 participants in video calls.
2. 3CX Standard – This starts at around £135 per year for four simultaneous calls. It includes features such as call queues, reporting, and integration with CRM systems.
3. 3CX Pro – Prices begin at approximately £200 per year for four simultaneous calls. This plan adds features like call recording, more advanced reporting, and greater control over phone management.
4. 3CX Enterprise – This starts at around £250 per year for four simultaneous calls and offers additional failover capabilities and real-time monitoring tools.

While 3CX pricing can vary significantly based on the number of simultaneous calls and features required, it generally offers a more cost-effective solution for businesses with extensive telephony needs compared to Zoom’s per-user pricing model.

Choosing the right platform for your business

The choice between Zoom vs 3CX ultimately depends on the specific needs of your business.

• Choose Zoom if your business requires a reliable, user-friendly video conferencing tool with extensive collaboration features. Zoom is ideal for companies that need to host webinars, large meetings, and client-facing events. Its pricing model is better suited for businesses that rely on frequent video meetings and value a seamless, all-in-one communications platform.
• Choose 3CX if your business requires a robust and customisable telephony system with advanced call management features. 3CX is ideal for businesses that handle a high volume of calls, such as customer service centres or sales teams. The ability to integrate with various VoIP providers and deploy the system on-premise or in the cloud makes 3CX highly flexible and scalable. It’s also a more affordable option for businesses primarily focused on voice communications rather than video meetings.

Conclusion – Zoom vs 3CX

Both Zoom and 3CX offer comprehensive communication solutions, but they serve different purposes.

Zoom’s strength lies in video conferencing and collaboration, while 3CX excels in telephony and call management.

Understanding your business’s communication priorities—whether it’s video meetings, collaboration, or telephony—will guide you towards the most suitable option. Evaluate your specific requirements and budget, and choose the platform that will enhance your operational efficiency.

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