It’s especially popular among small to mid-size businesses for its affordability, control, and customizability, making it a go-to choice for companies looking for a unified communications solution without a hefty price tag.
Why switch from 3CX?
While 3CX offers a strong feature set, many businesses find themselves facing a few roadblocks. Some users have trouble with the complex setup requirements, limited out-of-the-box integrations, and inconsistent customer support. Others outgrow its capabilities as their teams scale or need more advanced contact center functionality.
Whether it’s due to rising costs, missing features, or evolving business needs, exploring other options can help you find a platform that better aligns with your goals in 2025.
In this article, we’ll break down the best alternatives to 3CX so you can make a confident, strategic switch.
Top Alternatives To 3CX
| Provider | Key features | Pricing | Pros | Cons |
| 1. Voiso | Omnichannel communication, intuitive workflow builder, AI-predictive dialer, speech analytics, real-time dashboards. | Starts at $49/user/month. | Cost-effective, strong outbound tools, powerful analytics, AI-driven insights. | Limited workforce management tools. |
| 2. Dialpad | AI-powered call transcription, integrations, and SMS capabilities. | Starts at $15/user/month for standard plans, or free for video meeting plans. | Excellent AI tools, user-friendly mobile app. | Limited international calling features. |
| 3. OpenPhone | Call recording, customizable IVR, and extensions. | Starts at $15/user/month. | Intuitive user interface, usability across multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile apps. | Lack of advanced features for sales ops like auto-dialers, lack of extensive API support for integrations. |
| 4. RingCentral | Video conferencing, messaging, team collaboration, integrations with popular tools. | Starts at $20/user/month. | Feature-rich, reliable, wide integration options . | Premium features drive up cost. |
| 5. Nice CXone | ACD, advanced IVR, speech analytics and automated sales dialer. | Starts at $71/month. | Wide range of advanced features for enterprises, reliable SLA-driven support tiers. | More expensive than other providers, and some call quality issues. |
| 6. Avaya | Robust communication suite, reliable VoIP, and collaboration tools. | Starts at $20/user/month. | Strong for enterprise-level communication, solid reliability. | Higher learning curve, expensive for SMBs. |
| 7. 3CX | Advanced VoIP capabilities, flexible deployment options, and unified communication tools. | Check website for custom pricing calculator. | Cost-effective, user-friendly, global reach, comprehensive features. | Limited advanced features, steep learning curve. |
| 8. CallHippo | Virtual phone numbers, team collaboration tools, and call analytics. | Starts at $18/user/month. | Affordable pricing, easy setup, supports global communication. | Limited advanced features, basic reporting tools, occasional call quality issues. |
| 9. Ringover | Cloud-based telephony, call monitoring, and CRM integrations. | Starts at $21/user/month. | User-friendly interface, strong analytics tools, seamless setup. | Limited customization options, higher costs for advanced features, fewer integrations than competitors. |
| 10. Talkdesk | AI-powered automation, seamless integrations, and omnichannel capabilities. | Starts at $85/user/month. | User-friendly interface, seamless CRM integrations, scalability to accommodate growing businesses. | Pricing can be steep, support quality varies depending on the service tier. |
| 11. Freshdesk | Omnichannel ticketing, AI-powered automation, and self-service customer portals. | Starts at $15/user/month. | Easy to use, integrates with popular tools, scalable for businesses of all sizes. | Limited advanced analytics, higher-tier plans can be costly, less suited for complex workflows. |
| 12. RingCentral | VoIP, messaging, video conferencing, and integrations with business tools. | Starts at $20/user/month. | Comprehensive feature set, strong video conferencing tools. | Can be expensive for smaller teams. |
| 13. Nextiva | VoIP, call management, CRM integration, video collaboration tools. | Starts at $20/user/month, all the way up to $199 for enterprise packages. | Intuitive interface, all-in-one business communication. | Limited advanced call center analytics. |
1. Voiso
Voiso is a cloud-based, flexible, scalable contact center solution that suits businesses of all shapes and sizes. It’s user-friendly and easy to set up, and caters to both customer service and sales teams alike with productivity-boosting AI features like speech analytics and chatbots, as well as powerful outbound predictive dialers and answering machine detection.
Key features
Voiso is perfect for both sales and customer support teams, helping them enhance productivity and deliver excellent customer service.
For sales teams
Local caller IDs
Local caller IDs build trust and familiarity with prospects, which results in higher answer rates and conversions. Local numbers feel familiar, which increases the likelihood of prospects answering your call, leading to more sales opportunities and higher revenue.
Automation
Voiso automates the time consuming tasks like manual dialing, call logging, and note-taking, enabling agents to focus on more complex and challenging issues.
Real-time dashboard
With customizable real-time dashboards, managers can have instant, actionable insights into KPIs and operational efficiency on an intuitive interface. They can monitor call volumes, answer rates, agent performance, and operational success in real time, and avoid problems before they have a chance to take root.
For support teams
Flow builder
There’s no better tool for a customer service agent than flow builder. It allows agents to design their own custom workflows, such as IVR menus, communication flows, and skills-based routing queues, tailored to their customer’s individual needs.
Speech analytics
AI-driven speech analytics analyze customer tone of voice, sentiment, keywords, and even emotions to give agents valuable information about customer behavior. It improves training and performance by generating call scores and summaries instantly, providing instant feedback into agent performance and customer experience.
Omnichannel toolkit
Omnichannel communication centralizes customer interactions across web chat, email, phone, messaging apps, and social media, giving agents full access to customer histories across every touchpoint.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Highly adaptable to complex workflows, making it the ideal solution for multiple industries. | Major CRM integrations only. |
| Strong international support for businesses operating across numerous regions. | Custom pricing may make it difficult to predict costs. |
| A competitive, budget-friendly pricing structure making it a good choice for businesses of all sizes. | |
| Robust call recording enables support teams to review and analyze all past interactions, leading to better ongoing training and improvement. |
Pricing
| Start-up | Pro | Pro+ |
| Great for any team getting started and requiring quick and easy setup. | For larger teams that need enhanced flexibility and advanced features. | Full automation, integrations, multi-channel and unlimited capacity. |
| $49/user/month. | $79/user/month. | $129/user/month. |
What’s included:
|
Everything in Start-up, plus:
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Everything in Professional, plus:
|
Ideal use cases
Voiso caters to businesses of all sizes, but especially those focused on customization and advanced analytics to improve operational efficiency. Enterprises who manage large call centers with global operations would benefit hugely from Voiso’s local caller IDs and omnichannel support, while businesses looking to optimize their agent performance and customer experience would see massive advantages with speech analytics and flow builder.
2. Dialpad
Dialpad has made a name for itself as a modern, AI-driven, cloud-based phone system for companies looking for streamlined communication, powerful features, and seamless integrations. It’s intuitive and flexible, easily scales with your business, and leverages advanced analytics and AI-powered tools to maximize customer support operations.
Key features
Global calling
Offers free calls to the US and Canada from anywhere in the world, as well as unlimited inbound and outbound calling within your business’s country, ideal for companies operating in multiple regions.
Integrations
Connects with multiple tools like G Suite, Microsoft 365, and Slack to improve workflow management.
Voice Intelligence (VI)
Transcribes calls in real-time with AI, provides sentiment analysis, and generates actionable insights to improve data-driven decision making.
SMS and MMS support
Enables text communication as well as voice, improving accessibility for customers.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Top-tier AI tools that improve efficiency and accuracy. | Limited international calling features compared to competitors. |
| Easy to use interface, enabling quick setup. | Some advanced features are only available in premium plans. |
| Affordable pricing plans make it accessible to smaller teams. |
Pricing
These prices are included in Dialpad’s Connect package. Check out their website for more information on their Meetings, Support, and Sell packages with varying pricing models.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Standard | $27/user/month ($15 with annual billing) | Unlimited calling, unlimited AI meetings up to 150 people, SMS, MMS & team messaging, AI-powered call & voicemail transcriptions, Google Workspace & Microsoft 365 integrations, real-time analytics & reporting, and web & chat support. |
| Pro | $35/user/month ($25 with annual billing) | Everything in Standard, plus 24/7 support, CRM & Microsoft Teams integrations, 10 office locations, multiple phone numbers per account, open APIs & Webhooks, global SMS, local numbers in 70+ countries, and 25 ring groups. |
| Enterprise | Contact sales for a custom quote. | Everything in Pro plus 99.9% uptime, unlimited office locations and ring groups, dial-by-extension, integrations with leading SSO providers, Azure AD SSO integration, data retention policies, and priority live agent support. |
Ideal use cases
Dialpad would suit any business looking to modernize their operations with AI-driven features and high reliability. It’s a strong player in the VoIP market for tech-savvy businesses and those needing cost-effective communication tools to improve record-keeping and call analysis.
3. OpenPhone
OpenPhone’s key advantage is its ability to help large businesses set up international phone lines to manage both internal and external global calls and messages. Its prices are fairly straightforward compared to competitors, has a user-friendly interface, and many of the essential features for customer teams.
Key features
Unified communication
Combines voice, SMS, and MMS messaging into one platform to streamline communication and enable team collaboration.
CRM integration
Integrates with CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce so businesses can maintain customer records and automatically sync data.
Shared phone numbers
Multiple team members can share a single business number to avoid any customer queries going unanswered.
Affordable international calling
Offers competitive rates for international calls and texts, making it suitable for businesses with global clients.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple, intuitive interface suitable for small businesses and startups. | Lacks some advanced features like predictive dialing and in-depth call analytics. |
| Affordable pricing with strong features at lower costs compared to competitors. | Not suitable for large enterprises or large-scale operations as it focuses more on small businesses. |
| Connects seamlessly with popular productivity and CRM tools. | IVR options aren’t as advanced as other providers in the enterprise space. |
| Ideal for remote or hybrid teams with mobile-first tools. | Limited international number availability compared to competitors. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Starter | $15/user/month | One new local or toll-free phone number per user, calling and messaging to US and Canada, voicemail transcripts, OpenPhone API, and email ticket support. |
| Business | $23/user/month | Everything from Starter, plus AI call summaries and transcripts, group calling, custom ring orders, call transfers, HubSpot and Salesforce integrations, phone menus, analytics and reporting, auto call recording, and live chat support. |
| Scale | $35/user/month | Everything from Business, plus AI call tags, conditional call routing, dedicated onboarding support, and priority live chat and email ticket support. |
Ideal use cases
Small businesses and startups are OpenPhone’s bread and butter. Their affordable and easy-to-implement phone system provides small businesses with all the essentials for communication. Plus, its mobile-first approach and collaboration features support remote and distributed teams, making it a flexible option for businesses operating in multiple regions.
4. RingCentral
RingCentral has truly made a name for itself in the VoIP market as a reliable, scalable solution thanks to its powerful video conferencing and performance tracking capabilities, as well as its wide variety of features. RingCentral caters to enterprises with omnichannel communication and lead qualification tools, and small to medium-sized businesses with management, collaboration, and performance features.
Key features
Call management
RingCentral offers powerful features like call forwarding, virtual receptionists, detailed call logs, and much more.
Real-time metrics and transcriptions
Real-time insights into performance metrics allow users to constantly monitor their performance and improve upon each interaction. And with voicemail transcriptions, agents can easily find the information they need without re-listening to calls.
Team collaboration tools
Empowers team collaboration with messaging, file sharing, and integrations with platforms like Monday.com.
Video conferencing
Supports large meetings with high numbers of attendees, plus screen sharing, recording, breakout rooms, and whiteboards.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Centralizes multiple communication tools to streamline operations. | Many advanced features, like sentiment analytics, speech-to-text, smart dialers, and skills-based routing are locked to higher tier plans. |
| Excellent video conferencing features that enable remote collaboration. | Extra charges for certain features like toll-free numbers can make it difficult to estimate overall cost. |
| Highly scalable and suitable for businesses of any size. | Can take up to 90 days to implement compared to competitors that are much quicker. |
Pricing
These prices are included in RingCentral’s Business Phone plan with 1-100 users. Visit their website to see various other plans for contact centers, events, video, and conversation intelligence, each with different pricing models.
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Core | $20 | Unlimited domestic calling, SMS and MMS, IVR menu, HD video meetings up to 100 participants, Google and Microsoft integrations, SSO, shared voicemail, real-time analytics, developer platform, custom integrations, and API access. |
| Advanced | $25 | Everything in Core plus auto call recording, advanced call monitoring and handling, multiple site connection, unlimited internet fax, CRM integrations, custom roles and permissions, archiver for cloud storage back-up, and adoption and usage analytics. |
| Ultra | $35 | Everything in Advanced plus customizable analytics and reporting, 12 months of analytics and reporting history, HD video meetings up to 200 participants, device analytics and alerts, and unlimited storage for files and recording. |
Ideal use cases
RingCentral is designed for businesses needing a centralized communication solution for voice, video, and messaging, as well as remote teams or those spread across multiple regions as it includes strong video conferencing capabilities and collaboration tools. It’s also a great solution for companies prioritizing integrations as it connects seamlessly with many business software apps.
5. Nice CXone
Nice CXone is one of the leading cloud contact center software solutions, supporting multiple platforms and an even wider range of automation features. It’s a highly capable tool with advanced capabilities, and is the ideal solution for businesses who want to scale their customer support and sales operations.
Key features
AI-powered analytics
Features like sentiment analysis and speech analytics provide deep insights into customer interactions, helping agents improve their performance and customer satisfaction at the same time.
Workforce optimization
Provides scheduling, performance management, and real-time agent monitoring tools to ensure optimal resource allocation while boosting productivity.
Advanced IVR and ACD
Offers customizable interactive voice response (IVR) menus and automatic call distribution (ACD) based on customer data and preferences to reduce wait times and ensure customers reach the right agent or department.
Personalized customer experience
Leverages customer data and AI to give customers tailored experiences based on context-rich insights.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Seamless communication across multiple channels. | Steep learning curve can be overwhelming for new users, and takes time to master without a dedicated IT team. |
| AI-powered tools like speech and sentiment analysis help improve customer interactions. | Premium pricing compared to other providers which makes it less accessible to smaller businesses. |
| Cloud-based design supports businesses of all sizes, easily scaling to accommodate growth. | Some users report delays in support responsiveness, especially those in lower-tier plans. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| CXone Mpower Digital Agent | $71/month |
|
| CXone Mpower Voice Agent | $94/month |
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| CXone Mpower Omnichannel Agent | $110/month |
|
| CXone Mpower Essential Suite | $135/month | Everything in Omnichannel plus:
|
| CXone Mpower Core Suite | $169/month | Everything in Essential Suite, plus:
|
| CXone Mpower Complete Suite | $209/month | Everything in Core Suite, plus:
|
| CXone Mpower Ultimate Suite | $249/month |
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Ideal use cases
Nice CXone caters to large enterprises with high call volumes, as well as any company prioritizing customer experience. Nice CXone’s omnichannel support and AI-driven insights make it ideal for teams focused on building loyalty through personalized interactions across multiple channels and platforms.
6. Avaya
Avaya is a cloud-based contact center tool built primarily for remote teams with powerful video conferencing and instant messaging features. It’s an excellent platform for boosting workplace efficiency by integrating seamlessly with some of the most popular tools on the market, making daily operations smoother and more efficient.
Key features
Omnichannel capabilities
High-quality customer interactions across voice and digital channels in one place.
Workforce optimization
Provides powerful scheduling and performance tracking tools, plus agent productivity monitoring to optimize operational efficiency.
Local and toll-free numbers
Global communications with access to a variety of number types.
AI-driven tools
Virtual assistants, speech analytics, and sentiment analysis are all on offer to improve customer satisfaction.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Comprehensive feature set including omnichannel routing, workforce optimization, and AI-driven customer interactions. | Complex setup and maintenance with a steep learning curve and skilled IT resources needed for setup. |
| Scalability designed to grow with your business, handling both small teams and large enterprises with ease. | Higher pricing compared to alternatives. |
| Strong international presence for businesses operating in multiple regions, with local solutions and support. | Less user-friendly interface designed for large enterprises, which makes it overwhelming for smaller teams. |
| Strong reliability with high uptime and service stability, making it dependable for businesses that require uninterrupted operations. | Limited updates on legacy systems which can be a challenge for businesses using older Avaya systems. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Core | $20/user/month | Business phone and toll-free numbers, inbound caller ID, unlimited calls within US/CA, business SMS, voicemail transcription, team messaging, document sharing, 24/7 support, business phone numbers in 100+ countries, SSO, unlimited audio conferencing, video meetings up to 100 people, up to 24 hour meeting duration, AI video meeting summaries, transcripts, and highlights, quality-of-service reports, and popular integrations. |
| Advanced | $25/user/month | Everything in Core plus automatic call recording, multi-site admin and management, unlimited internet fax, up to 8 digit extensions, hot desking, advanced call handling, video meeting up to 200 people, real-time analytics, popular CRM integrations, industry-specific integrations, and developer system and custom integrations. |
| Ultra | $35/user/month | Everything in Advanced plus devise status reports and alerts, and unlimited storage. |
Ideal use cases
Avaya caters to large enterprises and businesses with complex communication needs, high call volumes, or those that need advanced customer interaction features. It’s the perfect solution for organizations with omnichannel contact centers, an international presence, or requiring AI-driven customer engagement. Companies in industries like telecommunications, healthcare, and financial services would benefit most from Avaya’s powerful and customizable solutions.
7. 3CX
3CX’s software-based business phone system provides unified communication for companies of all sizes, especially small to mid-sized. It helps them manage voice, video, chat, and contact center needs through a single platform, and can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud, offering flexibility and cost efficiency. 3CX is especially popular among businesses seeking a VoIP-based, scalable, and easy-to-manage PBX solution.
Key features
Unified communication
3CX integrates voice calls, video conferencing, instant messaging, and SMS into a single platform, allowing teams to collaborate seamlessly.
Web-based management console
Admins can configure and manage the entire phone system via an intuitive web interface, reducing IT overhead.
Mobile and desktop apps
Employees can make and receive business calls using 3CX apps on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS, ensuring connectivity on the go.
Call center features
Includes advanced call queues, reporting, CRM integrations, and whisper/listen/barge functions for efficient support and sales teams.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to install and configure, even for teams without deep IT knowledge. | Some advanced features require more technical setup or third-party tools. |
| Cost-effective with no per-user licensing to reduce communication expenses. | Customer support can be limited unless you’re on a paid support plan. |
| Highly customizable with open SIP support and broad integration options. | Interface and UX may feel dated compared to some newer competitors. |
| Reliable mobile apps that support remote and hybrid workforces. | Reporting tools are basic unless enhanced via integrations. |
Pricing
Pricing plans aren’t readily available on 3CX’s website, but they have a pricing calculator that allows businesses to enter all their details and receive a custom quote.
Ideal use cases
3CX is perfect for SMBs and mid-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective, flexible phone system that supports remote teams and omnichannel communication. It’s especially useful for companies wanting to integrate customer support, sales, and internal communication in one platform, or those with a mix of on-site and remote workers thanks to its cross-device accessibility and powerful VoIP infrastructure.
8. CallHippo
CallHippo’s cloud-based VoIP phone system is tailored for startups, small to mid-sized businesses, and global sales or support teams, enabling organizations to set up virtual phone numbers in over 50 countries. CallHippo can manage calls, automate workflows, and integrate with popular CRMs like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zoho. It’s quick to set up, affordable, and has a user-friendly interface, helping businesses streamline communication and scale their operations efficiently.
Key features
Global connect
Automatically detects a contact’s local time zone, helping teams schedule calls at optimal times for international outreach.
Power dialer
Accelerates outbound calling by dialing numbers sequentially from a list, reducing manual effort and increasing agent productivity.
Multi-level IVR
Provides customizable call routing menus, ensuring callers are directed to the appropriate department or agent efficiently.
Smart DID routing
Assigns dedicated numbers to specific regions or departments, enhancing call management and tracking.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple and fast setup makes it ideal for non-technical users. | Call quality can vary depending on internet and location. |
| Affordable pricing plans that scale with business growth. | Limited SMS functionality compared to specialized platforms. |
| Global number availability supports international expansion. | Occasional bugs and downtime reported by users. |
| Power dialer boosts outbound team productivity. | Customer support responsiveness can be inconsistent. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Starter | $18/user/month | Unlimited minutes for landline and mobile, 100 SMS, 1 free phone number, basic report analytics. |
| Professional | $30/user/month | Everything in Starter plus 500 SMS, call recordings, AI reports and analytics. |
| Ultimate | $42/user/month | Everything in Professional plus 1000 SMS, dedicated account manager, custom integrations, SSO. |
| Enterprise (min. 20 users) | Contact sales for a custom quote | Everything in Professional plus unlimited calling to 48 countries, customized add-ons for other countries & SMS, power dialer, speech analytics or CallHippo AI, priority support, custom reports, custom data storage and API usage, developer support, dedicated compliance support. |
Ideal use cases
CallHippo is a scalable and affordable phone system with global reach that startups and small businesses looking would hugely benefit from, in particular sales and support teams that need outbound calling tools and CRM integration. Businesses wanting to establish a multi-country presence quickly without heavy infrastructure will benefit most from its virtual number capabilities.
9. Ringover
Ringover is a cloud-based communication platform catering to small to mid-sized businesses, offering VoIP telephony, contact center solutions, and AI-powered tools for sales and support teams. It provides voice, video, SMS, and messaging services through a unified interface, enabling seamless communication across various channels. With features like CRM integration, call analytics, and automation tools, Ringover aims to enhance team productivity and customer engagement.
Key features
Advanced call routing
Customizable call routing options, including IVR menus and time-based routing, ensuring calls reach the appropriate agents efficiently.
Real-time analytics and monitoring
Live call monitoring, agent performance metrics, and detailed reporting to help businesses optimize their communication strategies.
CRM and helpdesk integrations
Seamlessly integrates with popular tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho, allowing for synchronized contact information and streamlined workflows.
AI-powered tools
Features like Empower offer AI-driven conversation analysis, providing insights into customer interactions and agent performance.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface with quick setup, requiring no special hardware. | Call quality may be affected by internet connectivity issues, leading to occasional disruptions. |
| Comprehensive feature set, including voice, video, SMS, and team collaboration tools. | Advanced features and customization options are limited to higher-tier plans, which may be costly for smaller businesses. |
| Seamless integration with various CRM and helpdesk platforms, enhancing workflow efficiency. | Some users have reported occasional technical glitches and integration challenges. |
| Scalable solution suitable for businesses of different sizes, with flexible pricing plans. | International call rates can be higher than expected, depending on the location and plan. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Smart | $21/user/month | Unlimited calls to 110 destinations, local numbers from 43 countries, mobile, web, and desktops apps, IVR and call forwarding, call logs and recordings, call and voicemail transcription and summary, click-to-call, video conference, instant messaging, API access. |
| Business | $44/user/month | Everything in Smart plus local numbers in 65 countries, advanced IVR with smart routing, call groups, and call queues, 2 integrations, advanced analytics, coaching, webhooks access. |
| Advanced | Contact sales for a custom quote | Everything in Business plus call campaigns, power dialer, call scripts, voicemail drop, local presence dialing, 3 integrations, SSO. |
Ideal use cases
Any small to mid-sized business requiring a comprehensive communication solution that integrates voice, video, and messaging services will find exactly what they need in Ringover. It’s particularly beneficial for sales and support teams that need CRM integration, real-time analytics, and AI-powered tools to enhance customer engagement. Plus, companies aiming to establish an international presence without significant infrastructure investments will find Ringover’s global virtual numbers advantageous.
10. Talkdesk
Talkdesk is a smart-calling platform that improves the communication capabilities of sales and customer support teams through high-tech automations and reliable call quality. Its innovative contact center platform integrates AI-powered tools and omnichannel support into its cloud-based system, and its advanced automation and analytics ensure that customer issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Key features
Customizable integrations
Seamlessly connects with CRMs and other existing business tools to improve workflows.
Intelligent routing
Customers are automatically routed to the right agent or department based on their query, bringing down wait times and improving customer satisfaction.
Omnichannel support
By bringing together voice, chat, email, phone, and social media, agents have access to full customer interaction histories, improving consistency and efficiency.
AI-powered automation
Agents can be more productive and efficient with powerful tools like virtual agents, predictive insights, and automated workflows.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Talkdesk’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for teams to get up and running quickly. | Talkdesk is a great call center platform, but it doesn’t have video conferencing and messaging, which can be a turn off for certain businesses. |
| Powerful AI features like Virtual Agent and AI insights enhance productivity and provide valuable analytics for customer interactions. | Talkdesk has fewer integrations with CRMs and business tools compared to other VoIP solutions. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| CX Cloud Digital Essentials | $85/user/month | Talkdesk Ascend AI, digital engagement, studio & routing, connections, API access, real-time dashboards, business intelligence, conversations mobile app, QA, feedback & Guardian. |
| CX Cloud Voice Essentials | $105/user/month | Everything in Cloud Digital, plus voice engagement, studio functions, workspace designer, automation designer.
Also available: Digital access for essentials, 70+ out-of-the-box integrations, 100+ AppConnect marketplace. |
| CX Cloud Elite | $165/user/month | Everything in Digital & Voice, plus, custom reporting, performance management, screen recording, automated notifications, workforce management, proactive outbound engagement. |
| Industry specific cloud editions | $225/user/month | Includes specific plans for financial services, healthcare, retail, and government. |
Ideal use cases
Talkdesk caters more to enterprises and larger-scale businesses with a blend of customer support and internal collaboration. It’s perfect for any business prioritizing high-quality customer service, and its industry-specific workflows and advanced analytics make it the best tool for healthcare and financial service with unique needs.
11. Freshdesk
Freshdesk, a cloud-based customer support software tailored to small to mid-sized companies, is designed to help manage customer conversations across email, chat, phone, and social media. It acts as a central helpdesk platform for resolving tickets, automating workflows, and improving support team efficiency. Freshdesk’s intuitive UI and scalable plans enable businesses to deliver timely, personalized customer service without needing complex setup.
Key features
Omnichannel support
Freshdesk consolidates support from email, chat, phone, and social media into one unified inbox for streamlined agent workflows.
Ticketing system
Converts customer issues into trackable tickets with SLAs, priorities, tags, and assignment rules to manage resolution effectively.
Automation & workflows
Automates repetitive tasks like ticket routing, follow-ups, and notifications, reducing manual work and response times.
Knowledge base & self-service
Enables creation of a branded help center where customers can find answers on their own, lowering ticket volume.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Good self-service options help reduce support load. | Advanced features like AI and bots require higher-tier plans. |
| Seamless integration with other Freshworks products and popular third-party tools. | Customization options may feel limited compared to enterprise-grade tools. |
| Strong automation capabilities boost agent productivity. | Response times from support can vary depending on the plan. |
| User-friendly interface that requires minimal training. | Some reporting functions lack depth unless upgraded. |
Pricing
The prices below refer to annual billing cycles on Freshdesk’s customer service plan. Check out their website for more information about their IT service and CRM plans.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
| Growth | $15/user/month | Ticketing, shared inbox, threads and tasks, customer portal, out-of-the-box analytics and reporting, standard reports and real-time dashboards, knowledge base, ticket dispatch, automations, role-based access control, SSO. |
| Pro | $49/user/month | Everything in Growth plus multilingual conversations, 5,000 collaborators, Freddy AI/Copliot/Insights for extra charge, custom real-time dashboards, agent availability dashboard, multilingual translations, portal customization, community forums, article versioning, ticket templates, advanced custom fields, multiple SLA policies, round robin and load balanced assignment, business hours. |
| Pro + AI Copilot | $78/user/month | Everything in Pro plus Freddy AI Copliot and Insights included. |
| Enterprise | $79/user/month | Everything in Pro plus custom object analysis, approval workflow, flexible knowledge base hierarchy, skill-based ticket assignment, agent shifts and out of office scheduler, JWT authentication, audit logs, allowed domains and IP whitelisting, sandbox. |
Ideal use cases
Freshdesk is best for startups, SMBs, and mid-market companies that want to centralize and streamline their customer support without heavy infrastructure, or businesses with multichannel support needs looking to reduce response time through automation. Companies that prioritize ease of use, scalability, and a quick setup will find Freshdesk a strong fit.
12. RingCentral
RingCentral has truly made a name for itself in the VoIP market as a reliable, scalable solution thanks to its powerful video conferencing and performance tracking capabilities, as well as its wide variety of features. RingCentral caters to enterprises with omnichannel communication and lead qualification tools, and small to medium-sized businesses with management, collaboration, and performance features.
Key features
Call management
RingCentral offers powerful features like call forwarding, virtual receptionists, detailed call logs, and much more.
Real-time metrics and transcriptions
Real-time insights into performance metrics allow users to constantly monitor their performance and improve upon each interaction. And with voicemail transcriptions, agents can easily find the information they need without re-listening to calls.
Team collaboration tools
Empowers team collaboration with messaging, file sharing, and integrations with platforms like Monday.com.
Video conferencing
Supports large meetings with high numbers of attendees, plus screen sharing, recording, breakout rooms, and whiteboards.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Centralizes multiple communication tools to streamline operations. | Many advanced features, like sentiment analytics, speech-to-text, smart dialers, and skills-based routing are locked to higher tier plans. |
| Excellent video conferencing features that enable remote collaboration. | Extra charges for certain features like toll-free numbers can make it difficult to estimate overall cost. |
| Highly scalable and suitable for businesses of any size. | Can take up to 90 days to implement compared to competitors that are much quicker. |
Pricing
These prices are included in RingCentral’s Business Phone plan with 1-100 users. Visit their website to see various other plans for contact centers, events, video, and conversation intelligence, each with different pricing models.
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Core | $20 | Unlimited domestic calling, SMS and MMS, IVR menu, HD video meetings up to 100 participants, Google and Microsoft integrations, SSO, shared voicemail, real-time analytics, developer platform, custom integrations, and API access. |
| Advanced | $25 | Everything in Core plus auto call recording, advanced call monitoring and handling, multiple site connection, unlimited internet fax, CRM integrations, custom roles and permissions, archiver for cloud storage back-up, and adoption and usage analytics. |
| Ultra | $35 | Everything in Advanced plus customizable analytics and reporting, 12 months of analytics and reporting history, HD video meetings up to 200 participants, device analytics and alerts, and unlimited storage for files and recording. |
Ideal use cases
RingCentral is designed for businesses needing a centralized communication solution for voice, video, and messaging, as well as remote teams or those spread across multiple regions as it includes strong video conferencing capabilities and collaboration tools. It’s also a great solution for companies prioritizing integrations as it connects seamlessly with many business software apps.
13. Nextiva
As one of the biggest contenders in the contact center software industry, Nextiva is an all-in-one VoIP communication platform offering businesses a variety of cloud-based telephony features. It gives businesses the power to improve both their internal and external communication, and offers features like omnichannel and team collaboration tools to support remote work.
Key features
Advanced integrations
Nextiva integrates seamlessly with tools like Outlook, Google Cloud products, QuickBooks, Dropbox, and Zendesk.
Round-the-clock customer support
Nextiva’s customer support team is available 24/7, giving business support whenever they may need it.
Advanced call features
Conference calling, voicemail transcription, and multi-level attendant are just a few of Nextiva’s powerful calling features.
Analytics
Nextiva’s platform provides detailed call activity and performance reports so managers can monitor call volumes and agent efficiency in real-time.
Pros vs cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Users can be calling within minutes thanks to Nextiva’s simple and intuitive setup. | Analytics and reporting tools aren’t as strong as some competitors. |
| Combines communication and CRM tools in one platform. | Limited customization options for specific, niche industries. |
| Excellent customer service and support. | Missing certain integrations, like Slack and Zapier, which can be a barrier for some businesses as Zapier enables further connections to VoIP telephony systems. |
Pricing
Small business
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Digital | $20 | Competitive monitoring, messaging apps, social media channels, review management, and digital service helpdesk. |
| Core | $30 | Everything in Digital, plus inbound & outbound voice, business SMS, video meetings, screenshare & file share, and call routing. |
| Engage | $40 | Everything in Core, plus customer-to-team SMS messaging, toll-free number & minutes, advanced reporting, MS Teams integration, and web chat (both live and bot). |
| Power Suite | $60 | Everything in Engage, plus inbound sales and service call center, priority and skills-based routing, unified team interface, supervisor dashboard, and ACD callback. |
Enterprise
| Plan | Price (per user/month) | Includes |
| Essential | $129 | Inbound & outbound channels, full workflow engine for journey orchestration, workflow automation and APIs, transcription and summarization, and customizable skills-based routing. |
| Professional | $159 | Everything in Essential, plus full customer journey context & history, omnichannel communication, advanced AI bots, real-time supervisor support, and secure payment agent assist. |
| Premium | $199 | Everything in Professional, plus full workforce management, optimized workflows for interaction deflection, and CX analytics for all business functions. |
Ideal use cases
Nextiva’s platform fits in perfectly with small businesses looking for affordable and intuitive communication software. It’s also the perfect solution for organizations that want to integrate their VoIP and CRM functions, and any teams with remote workers who need a reliable mobile app.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Cloud Phone Solution
Features and functionality
The core features and functionality of any cloud-based phone solution ultimately determine its usability and value for your team and business as a whole. When looking for the ideal solution, evaluate options based on the specific needs of your business. Consider the most essential features to include, and some more advanced ones:
Essential features
- VoIP calling: Clear and reliable voice communication is fundamental for any cloud phone system.
- SMS/MMS: Allows businesses to engage customers via text or multimedia messaging, which has extremely high open rates.
- IVR: Helps route callers to the right agent or department to reduce wait times and improve resolution rates.
- Call recording: Enables better quality assurance, compliance, and training.
- Call analytics: Provides insights into agent performance, allowing for workflow optimization.
- Voicemail: Essential for capturing missed calls and ensuring follow-ups.
- Conference calling: Facilitates group collaboration and team meetings, especially important for remote-based teams.
Advanced
- Automatic call distribution (ACD): Automatically routes calls to the most appropriate agent based on skills or availability.
- Predictive dialers: Automates outbound dialing to improve agent efficiency and reduce idle time.
- Omnichannel support: Combines voice, email, and chat for seamless communication.
Integration capabilities
Modern businesses rely on multiple tools to enhance productivity, and any cloud-based phone system should integrate perfectly with your existing tech stack, otherwise it’ll just cause more problems than it solves. Consider the following essential integrations:
CRM and helpdesk
- Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zendesk: Allows agents to access customer data, track interactions, and log calls directly within the CRM or helpdesk.
- Ticketing and workflow automation: Syncing phone systems and CRMs automates ticket creation and lead update processes.
Productivity tools
- Slack and Microsoft Teams: Supports internal team communication with message notifications for calls or voicemails.
- Google Workspace (G Suite): Ensures native integration with Gmail, Calendar, and Drive for scheduling and sharing.
- Other APIs: Many providers offer custom integrations for industry-specific software.
Pricing and value
Affordability, budget-friendliness, cost-effectiveness, and transparency are all important factors to consider when looking for communication tools. Take into account the following when shopping around for providers:
Billing models
- Per user/month plans: Fixed cost per user that offers predictability for budgeting.
- Pay-as-you-go: Flexible billing based on usage, ideal for seasonal businesses.
- Bundled plans: Combines voices, video, and messaging features into one package for added value.
Hidden costs to watch out for
- Setup fees: Initial installation and configuration might come with extra charges.
- Add-ons: Features like more phone numbers, advanced analytics, or integrations might not be included in the base pricing package.
- Scalability costs: Check whether adding new users or features will dramatically increase costs.
Scalability and reliability
The main benefit of a cloud-based software is its scalability. The chosen software should be able to grow with your business while maintaining consistent performance, and support the following:
Scalability
- Adding users: Make sure the chosen platform supports quick and easy onboarding of new agents without significant downtime or dramatic cost increases.
- Additional numbers or features: Expanding businesses may need access to international numbers or enhanced IVR as their operations scale.
Reliability
- Uptime guarantees: Look for providers that offer at least 99.9% uptime to minimize service disruptions.
- Disaster recovery: Check for redundancy measures like failover systems or geo-redundant data centers to maintain reliability during outages.
Customer support and onboarding
Strong customer support and onboarding resources are the mark of a great company, and can make a huge difference in adoption and ongoing satisfaction. Look for solutions that offer the following:
Training resources
- Tutorials and documentation: Comprehensive guides to help teams quickly get familiar with the system.
- Live demos: Interactive demo and Q&A sessions for personalized training and feature demonstrations.
Support channels
- Phone, email, chat: Multiple support channels ensure any issue can be resolved quickly and efficiently.
- Responsiveness: Evaluate response times and customer satisfaction reviews for the provider’s support team.
- 24/7 support: Make sure the provider has round-the-clock support in case of outages or issues outside traditional working hours.
Security and compliance
As the world becomes increasingly digital, concerns about data privacy and cyber threats are more prevalent than ever. Any software provider should offer security and compliance, such as:
Regulatory compliance
- GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA: Ensure the solution complies with the relevant regulations based on your industry and location.
- Audit trails: Systems should maintain detailed records for compliance purposes to avoid legal trouble.
Data security
- Encryption: End-to-end encryption keeps voice, video, and text communications private.
- Data handling policies: Providers should have clearly outlined policies on how customer data is stored, processed, accessed, and protected.
- Regular updates: The software should be regularly updated to patch any potential vulnerabilities and enhance security.
FAQs
What are the main reasons to look for 3CX alternatives?
Limited integrations, outdated interface, support issues, and feature gaps as businesses scale.
Is it difficult to migrate from 3CX to another provider?
Most modern providers offer migration tools and porting support, making the switch relatively easy.
How do pricing models typically differ between 3CX and its alternatives?
3CX charges by simultaneous calls, while alternatives often use simpler per-user pricing.
Which 3CX alternative is the easiest to set up and use?
Cloud-based options like Voiso or RingCentral are quicker to deploy with minimal setup.
Do these 3CX alternatives offer the same integrations with CRMs and other tools?
Yes, and many offer deeper native integrations with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Slack.
Are there features offered by other platforms that 3CX doesn’t have?
Yes, features like AI call routing, real-time analytics, and advanced omnichannel support.
Is Voiso better than 3CX?
Voiso offers more powerful call center features, better scalability, and easier cloud setup.
How reliable are 3CX alternatives in terms of call quality and uptime?
Top alternatives match or exceed 3CX with 99.99% uptime and consistently high call quality.
Looking For 3CX Alternatives? Look No Further
If 3CX no longer aligns with your team’s needs, whether due to limited features, complex pricing, or support challenges, it may be time to explore more modern alternatives.
As you compare options, prioritize solutions that offer intuitive setups, flexible pricing, strong integrations, and room to scale. Taking a strategic approach now ensures you choose a phone system that not only fits today’s workflow but also supports your business as it grows.
Or, make the decision much easier. Reach out to us today to discover how our cloud-based contact center software can revolutionize your business, and make your life so much easier.
