What do you like best about the product?

3CX is a Windows-based IP-PBX, but actually much more - the key attributes are flexibility, scalability, easy management and low cost. It's affordable for a single person office but can be deployed to thousands of users on a single system. You can use it with a very simple IP desk phone as a very basic phone system, or you can make use of any of a very large range of features. Most important are:
- inter-operation with a variety of top brand hardware: snom, Yealink, Fanvil, Htek (fully supported - plug and play provisioning); Aastra, Cisco, Gigaset, Panasonic, and Polycom are supported with more limited feature sets; door phones, PA gateway, Polycom and snom conference phones; several different brands of analog-to-IP and T1/E1-to-IP gateways are also supported, with easy-to-use wizard configuration tools
- inter-operation with a long list of SIP trunk providers, with provisioning templates that are guaranteed to work with these providers' systems out of the box
- administration Dashboard (web-based) is comprehensive, easy to use, and provides a number of very helpful status graphics; phones can be re-provisioned, rebooted, and firmware upgraded from the Dashboard
- the free 3CXPhone soft phone for Windows, OS X, Android, iOS is packed with features like BLF soft keys which show status of other extensions on the system, access to end-user customizable call routing options, conference call scheduling, call recording option, call records, company and private directory, visual voicemail, and private Chat. You can give it to users who don't need a desk phone and/or are mobile (make and receive calls on your smartphone as if you're in the office); deployment is by simple email invitation with download links and pre-provisioned extension parameters in an attachment.
- WebRTC-based WebMeeting allow participants to join a web meeting with or without video, without having to download special software (Chrome and Mozilla currently supported); also includes document sharing, screen sharing, Chat, etc
- the required Windows platform can be as small as an inexpensive hardware appliance running Windows 7/8/10 Pro (newest Atom or i3 CPU permits up to 16 simultaneous calls), or almost any flavor of Windows Server running on appropriate hardware, or installed as a virtual machine (both Hyper-V and VMware are supported); multi-tenant version is available for hosting providers
- although a very small office would do very well with the Free version, 3CX is scalable to multiple sites and thousands of users, easily partitioned by departments/groups with fine-grained security restrictions to provide access only to desired users and features
- pricing is based on number of simultaneous calls, not extensions (i.e. unlimited users with no additional licensing). Most common is a perpetual license (software upgrades to newest major release requires ongoing software maintenance, which is about 25% of the [very reasonable] initial license cost), but monthly and annual licensing that includes maintenance is also available.
- 3 versions are available at different licensing price points: the Free version includes up to 8 simultaneous calls, up to 5 web conferencing participants, one SIP trunk provider, unlimited extensions, unlimited AutoAttendants (IVRs) and many, many other features including voicemail-to-email, Music on Hold, a plug-in for Microsoft Outlook, and scheduled backups. It can even be deployed on a Windows virtual machine.
- Standard licenses are for 4, 8, 16, 32, etc (up to 1,024) simultaneous calls. Standard Edition adds Call Queuing, Call Recording, Call Reporting, G.729 codec support, bridge to other 3CX remote systems, incoming Fax-to-PDF service, conference calls, intercom/paging support, and Office 365 Address Book and TAPI integration to the Free system features, as well as 5 more WebMeeting licenses (up to 10 total)
- Pro version adds very comprehensive Call Center features including real time monitors, reporting, recording, external Agents, callback, SLA alerting, and CRM integration support for MS Dynamics, Google Contacts, full Office 365 support, Exact Online, Salesforce, SugarCRM, and Act! (an API is available for integration with other CRM software)
- in addition, the Pro version includes scheduled system restore, automatic failover to another 3CX standby system, and total of 25 WebMeeting licenses.
- WebMeeting licenses are for internal users, permitting them to originate WebMeetings. Outside participants or unlicensed internal users may participate in meetings without restriction on numbers of participants
- Backup/restore is an amazing feature: in one case, we had installed a small appliance-based (Intel NUC) 3CX system for 25 users, where the hardware failed in the first week of setup/testing/configuration. Because we had placed all installation files, license and security certificate information, and an automated backup onto a USB memory stick attached to the system, we simply moved the USB drive to a laptop, installed the phone system, and loaded the saved 3CX configuration backup (which can include voicemail, IVR recordings, recorded phone calls, etc - basically everything). The laptop could have been pretty much any Windows Professional or Server PC to be used temporarily; we were back up and running within a half hour and could have directed our customer how to do this over the phone...

What do you dislike about the product?

- some of the installation requirements for the newest version (15) of 3CX (the use of SSL certificates, need for a Fully Qualified Domain Name, fixed IP address for the site where the PBX is installed) make it somewhat time consuming to set up the PBX the first time around
- on the other hand, FQDN and SSL needs can be provided and managed by 3CX (the company) for you, and these requirements add significantly to the overall security of the system. IP communications these days are being hacked just like everything else that's IP-based, and we very much appreciate 3CX's emphasis on security

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

- telecom and web-based meeting needs for both stationary and mobile users
- lower cost, ease of use

Recommendations to others considering the product:

3CX is still not very well known as a brand in the US, although they have made major inroads in Europe with large deployments by well known organizations. They're based in Cyprus. The company was founded by Nick Galea, who used to run an IT services software company based in England and saw an opportunity for a designed-from-scratch communications system based on software rather than hardware. This system addresses many of the shortcomings of both traditional and IP-based PBX systems that have evolved from legacy products, and provides features that are appropriate for today's "connected everywhere" business environment - while at the same time being usable by folks who don't have an appetite for techie bells and whistles. Give it a try!

What do you like best about the product?

Having been running several different solutions for our business over the last few years, we got tired of the overly complicated configs and massive learning curve when it comes to Linux based sip platforms, Astrerisk etc.

We decided to have a look at alternatives and 3CX was recommended.
By far the best GUI based solution to the needs of a small business. The web and desktop admin panels for this are intuitive and familiar.

No i repeat no text based config with anything. Everything has a wizard and everything is pretty straightforward to setup.

Hand down favorite feature is the auto provisioning of handsets across brands, works great almost every time.

What do you dislike about the product?

The SIP tunnel client that ships from 3CX is really buggy in my opinion.

This need to be improved greatly.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

We have connected 3 remote sites in the UK and two in Spain using 3CX.
This has allowed us to connect the business in a really cost effective way.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

Download the free trial and get it connected to a free sip account to test it.

Just play with the admin interface, you wont be disappointed.

What do you like best about the product?

The migration from our current system to 3CX was seamless. It worked simply with our patton gateway and connected easy to our VOIP provider. The ease of phone provisioning makes everything just work I cant believe how easy everything is to setup and how well it works. The web meeting feautre is also really good

What do you dislike about the product?

The android app seems hit and miss but Have not fully troubleshooted it fully and it could be my phone. But when it works it works well.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

Cost mainly and the ability to work from anywhere with the windows app and phone apps increase productivity and comunnication.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

Value for money/features and ease of use are excellent

What do you like best about the product?

3CX is a pretty easy PBX to install and configure. As being a reseller and end user, 3CX has the basic functionalities, as well as being able to configure multiple sites with 3CX. I also resell to hospitality companies, and 3CX meets their needs and requirements for hotel services via phone.

What do you dislike about the product?

No dislikes to utilizing the PBX software. Had difficulties with a distributor giving inaccurate pricing. Worked with 3CX to resolve the issues.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

I am able to help business lower their overall telco expenses by going to 3CX and utilize SIP trunking.

What do you like best about the product?

3CX is the best software based IP Voice or IP phone system that we have worked with in the past 7 years! Actually we think it is the best VoIP system period! We love how flexible, the feature sets, and they add more all of the time! Best bang for anyone's buck! Extremely scale-able, reliable, and efficient.

What do you dislike about the product?

lake of recent functionality with Grandstream. Works well with it but company has shunned the manufacture not sure why.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

small through large business IT support and engineering: very cost effective compared to other similar feature set systems. No user limit or extension limit. Constantly adding new features for free!

Recommendations to others considering the product:

3CX is the best software based IP Voice or IP phone system that we have worked with in the past 7 years! Actually we think it is the best VoIP system period! We love how flexible, the feature sets, and they add more all of the time! Best bang for anyone's buck! Extremely scale-able, reliable, and efficient.

What do you like best about the product?

The 3CX phone system is very reliable running on the Windows platform, its very intuitive especially after V14 was released. It is Licensed based and the cost depends on the number of simultaneous calls in progress so its very adaptable.

It lets you reduce your call costs by using SIP trunks and the facility to use Analogue phone lines via a Gateway as a backup.

We love it so much that we recently became a reseller

What do you dislike about the product?

There's not a lot not to like, but we think that the admin GUI could be improved to make it easier to administer.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

Utilising the Android and Windows apps, you can take your office telephone with you wherever you are and have an internet connection. It provides a seamless solution.

Also included in the license is the Web Meeting application and also Windows RTC, allowing customers to call you direct from their PC's.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

Download the free evaluation version which allows 2 simultaneous calls and try for yourself

What do you like best about the product?

Our client was looking to move away from their old PBX and into something state of the art. After seeing all the features 3CX offered - everything you could possibly want from a phone system plus the integration with their property management software and the wide IP phone support - 3CX was an option they HAD to consider even though they had never heard of it when we proposed it. As a 5 star resort they HAVE to have the best service and dependability - fortunately 3CX has a demo that clinched the deal, and for over a year now 3CX has been providing crystal-clear service to rooms going for upwards of $3,000.00 a night. It's easy to set up, works flawlessly with a SIP trunk provider that's not on anybody's list, has a great hospitality integration package, supports about any phone you would care to use and is rock-solid reliable.

What do you dislike about the product?

Some of the documentation can be a little sketchy - some settings or how-to sections not clear in my opinion. Definitely purchase from a reseller (or distributor) that knows the system - you probably won't need their help, but if you DO you'll be happy to have it.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

3CX gives is an avenue for hospitality customers that we didn't have - we are able to offer a better service at a lower price than the hard-box competitors.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

Download and try the evaluation, its the best way to see what it can do for you.

What do you like best about the product?

We have used 3cx for 5 years and you are not locked in to proprietary hardware. 3cx is very powerful and has great support.

What do you dislike about the product?

Not really much to dislike. the product is solid but you do need to keep your windows server updated. The on hold music options could be better but they have improved it in the last version.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

We can take calls on mobiles and dial from outlook Gmail etc. time saving.

We have got business leads from professional on hold adverts we have created.

What do you like best about the product?

The 3CX system is software that runs as an application on Windows based hardware. This means that the clients we sold systems to 6 years ago still have current product. This is achieved through the upgrades that 3CX provides on a continuous basis. We never need to tell a client that they need to replace thier system due to obsolescence.

What do you dislike about the product?

When we do a new installation it is sometimes difficult to train everyone on all the benefits and capabilities of the system in one session. We find that the 3CX PBX is do feature rich compared to the system we are replacing, that most customers do not know how they want their system set up the first time. This is why we include 3 months of support with our installation.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

We have reduced the monthly telephone charges at some of our installations by as much as 70%. This is in addition to providing more capabilities and flexibility. All their calls can be sourced through one number and are only limited by their simultaneous call license. This can be upgraded almost instantaneously with a call to us.

Recommendations to others considering the product:

The sooner you change the sooner you can reap the benefits of this feature rich system and save money too!

What do you like best about the product?

Soft app and the ease of use. Integration with web rtc is a major advantage

What do you dislike about the product?

There is nothing at this point that I don't like. Challenges with analogue FXO gateways are frustrating but not insurmountable.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

Ability for remote users to be contactable at all times whether in the office or out of the office particularly with the use of the mobile app and web rtc