Senior Writer: Sindhu Bharathi
Reading Time: 8 MinutesPublished : September 10, 2023With the greater penetration of the Internet and digital technologies, PBX (Private Branch Exchange) systems have evolved to replace traditional landlines and streamline business communication. The fact that there are several free PBX software systems is an icing on the cake. The virtual PBX market has reached $5.65 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $104.63 billion by 2033.
In this blog, we have curated the list of the top 10 open-source PBX free software in 2024 to help you choose the best one for your business.
"The open-source PBX market is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, and businesses are on a spree to invest in reliable PBX software. If you have not thought about it yet, you must invest in robust software and streamline your business communication to stay ahead of the competition. Choose the best free PBX software to gain a competitive advantage and improve bottom-line results. "
What is PBX Software?
As the name implies, PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, offers a dedicated telephone network and unified platform for businesses to streamline their communication with customers, suppliers, and internal teams. Traditionally, PBX systems were analog and connected using physical handsets.
With cloud PBX systems gaining prominence, we have cloud PBX software that helps route calls over the internet and reduces the investment in analog devices. The best thing about the modern software PBX is that you can use hosted PBX and maintain it within the premises or opt for virtual PBX and route the calls over the internet.
The system is usually centralized and operated using Android and iOS devices, web apps, IP phones, etc. In other words, you can access your phone system via a desktop or PC from your office using PBX software. You can integrate the PBX software with CRM tools and applications and streamline inbound and outbound communication through phone calls, SMS texts, email, fax, etc.
You May Also Read : What is PBX System? Definition, Types and Benefits
How does PBX Software Work?
The actual working of software PBX depends on the type of system. Traditional systems use copper lines to make inbound and outbound calls and use a switch to route incoming calls. On the other hand, modern systems use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and have far more advanced call management features like customized greetings, call forwarding, power dialers, call transfer, etc.
PBX software helps set up a dedicated business phone system over the internet accessed using their computer systems. The best thing about PBX software is that it automatically routes incoming calls to the appropriate department/ agent and helps the caller with instant replies. PBX software is usually used in businesses with multiple departments and phone lines.
You May Also Read : What is Cloud PBX and Why does Your Business Need It?
The learning curve for PBX software is usually short, and even people who do not hold technical expertise can access the system. While extending the number of lines with traditional PBX systems was hard, businesses can easily add any lines with modern, virtual PBX systems. So, businesses that handle multiple phone lines prefer using virtual PBX systems to streamline their internal and external communication.
Comparison of Top 11 Free Open Source PBX Software in 2024
| Brand Name | Key Features | Pricing | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| DialerHQ |
|
| 10 Days |
| CallHippo |
|
| 10 Days |
| Phonexa |
|
| NA |
| Asterisk |
|
| NA |
| Elastix |
|
| NA |
| FreePBX |
|
| 21 Days |
| SIPfoundry |
|
| NA |
| OpenSIPs |
|
| NA |
| 3CX |
|
| NA |
| Kamailio |
|
| NA |
| FreeSWITCH |
|
| NA |
Top 11 Free Open Source PBX Software
Businesses explore open-source options for PBX software systems as they offer greater customization. You can add or remove features and functionalities per the business’s demands. This section covers the top 11 free PBX software solutions evaluated based on their key features, pros, cons, and pricing.
Read the blog to understand the subtle nuances of each system and choose a free PBX software that goes well with your business needs.
1. DialerHQ
DialerHQ is a virtual, free software PBX for small- and medium-scale businesses. DialerHQ has advanced call management features that let employees and business teams manage their inbound and outbound calls from anywhere, anytime.
DialerHQ is a virtual PBX system and so does not require hardware installations. It is a highly scalable business phone system, and you can customize the features and functionalities of the software based on your business needs. The best thing about DialerHQ is that it is simple to learn and use, that even those who do not have deep technical expertise can access the system.
- Call forwarding
- Auto attendants
- Call recording
- IVR systems
- Free virtual numbers
- Video conferencing
- Call analytics and custom reports
- Power dialer
- Automatic call distribution
- DialerHQ is easy to use and signup as it only involves four simple steps.
- DialerHQ offers a free subscription package with basic features for small businesses and startups.
- DialerHQ has a mobile and desktop app, so businesses can access the free PBX software even when not at their desks.
- DialerHQ offers a free trial in its premium packages, so businesses can play with the features before subscribing to them.
- Compared to other PBX software systems available in the market, DiaerHQ plans are affordable.
- Its advanced features, like IVR systems and intelligent call routing, help handle inbound calls, while others, like power dialer, call recording, etc., help make outbound calls.
- As DialerHQ operates over the cloud, call clarity is poor when the internet connection is patchy.
- The messaging abilities and chat feature of DialerHQ require updates.
Pricing
As an enterprise-specific solution, DialerHQ caters exclusively to large teams or organizations. Connect with the DialerHQ sales team at [email protected] for personalized quotes, or start a free trial for first-hand experience.
2. CallHippo
CallHippo is one of the most robust, software PBX free solution providers. It has extensive abilities that support businesses of all sizes and scales. Due to its advanced functionalities, CallHippo remains one of the most sought-after systems for call center operations. CallHippo has an intuitive UI and user-friendly interface, so employees who do not have the technical expertise can access the system.
CallHippo offers a wide range of subscription plans, so businesses can pick one that aligns well with their requirements when they have to scale. CallHippo is trusted by reputed businesses, including Amazon, Tech Mahindra, etc., which signifies the quality of the free PBX software.
- Multi-level auto attendant
- Call recording
- Call conferencing
- Call transfer
- Voicemail transcription
- IVR systems
- Call barging
- Predictive dialer
- Custom greetings
- Call analytics
- CallHippo requires only three minutes, so it is easy to set up and use.
- CallHippo offers 24/7 customer support, which has emerged as a reliable cloud PBX software.
- CallHippo has advanced call management features like call transfer, predictive dialer, intelligent routing, etc., that help streamline business communication.
- CallHippo has smart call routing options that automatically route incoming calls to the most-qualified agents.
- CallHippo offers virtual phone numbers for several countries, so businesses can easily add phone numbers.
- CallHippo mobile app is available on Android and iOS platforms, so employees can access the phone system from anywhere.
- The mobile app needs enhancements as it crashes often.
- Voicemail functionalities need updations to match the other service providers.
Pricing
- Free plan
- Bronze Plan: $16 per user per month
- Silver Plan: $24 per user per month
- Platinum Plan: $40 per user per month
- Enterprise Plan: $48 per user per month
3. Phonexa
Phonexa is an enterprise-grade tracking software with PBX software for performance and partner marketing. It offers a high-quality cloud-based communication tool, enabling agent productivity tracking through call scoring and analyzing calls using call recording and transcription tools. These features make it an optimal solution for large agencies or call centers.
Phonexa’s comprehensive platform features a bundle of other marketing automation instruments that, among other things, aim to generate leads, nurture them, and increase your business’s conversion rates. In the process of creating marketing campaigns, Phonexa’s Cloud PBX plays the role of a robust call tracking and analytics instrument for evaluating and distributing leads and building standard or advanced call flows.
- Intelligent call routing
- Call recording and operator scoring
- Dynamic Number Insertion
- Free demo
- Phonexa is a complex multi-module solution that eliminates the need for phone lines in large companies.
- Phonexa’s Cloud PBX seamlessly integrates with lead generation and marketing campaign automation tools.
- It provides ready-made reporting templates that can be customized to deliver metrics essential for your business.
- A user-friendly dashboard allows for monitoring the performance of PBX software and adjusting its settings as part of a marketing campaign.
- Cloud PBX continuously acquires new features to address specific clients' requests and drive innovation.
- Phonexa has a devoted client support team and a flexible pricing policy.
- The extensive Phonexa functionalities and integrations might be overwhelming for novice users and could be excessive for small businesses.
- To fully benefit from Phonexa PBX software, you need to integrate it with other Phonexa marketing automation tools.
Pricing
- Phonexa Lite Suite includes seven tools, most of the PBX advanced features, and costs $100 monthly.
- Premium Suite costs $500 monthly.
- Enterprise Suite costs $1000 monthly.
- Custom Plan offers tailored pricing based on the client’s specific needs.
4. Asterisk
Asterisk is a popular, free, and open-source, free PBX software and is sought-after by businesses across the globe. The best thing about the Asterisk platform is its advanced features that can convert your computer system into a powerful communication tool. It goes well with other interfaces like Switchvox, FreeSwitch, etc.
As with any open-source software, Asterisk has a wide range of learning materials, and the company also offers online manuals and live classes to shorten the learning curve. Beyond enterprises, Asterisk remains one of the most demanded PBX software by government agencies, call centers, and startups.
- Auto attendant
- Caller ID
- Call forwarding
- As Asterisk is an open-source, free PBX software, you can deploy the system at zero license fee.
- Asterisk can provide detailed call logs and records.
- Asterisk has a huge online community that offers online support.
- It goes well with several third-party apps and tools.
- Asterisk has an excellent, user-friendly UI and design.
- Asterisk systems can convert your computer into a phone system, promoting seamless communication.
- The software is free for both commercial and personal purposes.
- Asterisk doesn’t go well with Android and iOS platforms, so it is difficult to manage a distributed workforce.
- Lack of advanced collaboration options like video communications.
Pricing
- Free
5. Elastix
Carrying a legacy of 10+ years, Elastix is one of the most-demanded, open-source, free PBX software developed to deliver a complete unified communication solution for businesses. It is appropriate for businesses that need a scalable, flexible, and customizable platform. The best thing about Elastix is that it is free to use, irrespective of the size and scale of the business.
Elastix also has a call center module and an intelligent dialer feature that helps streamline the reach of outbound calls and marketing campaigns. Elastix has the best features from various open-source PBX software, including Asterisk, Openfirm, etc.
- Click2call functionality
- CRM integration
- Centralized phone book and database
- Elastix offers third-party integration and support and goes well with several CRM tools.
- Elastix carries extensive reporting abilities.
- Under General Public License, the system is completely free of cost.
- As it has a predictive dialing feature, outbound campaigns are more effective.
- Elastix can be installed on Windows and Linux.
- Elastix has extensive video conferencing features, an advantage over tools like Asterisk.
- Elastix can be downloaded and used on the home PBX server, supporting the functioning and collaboration between distributed workforce.
- Customer support is not extensive and needs enhancements.
- You must pay the licensing fee to access advanced features.
Pricing
- The basic features are free.
- Pro plans cost $60 a seat.
6. FreePBX
As the name implies, FreePBX is an open-source, free PBX software developed and backed by a global community. Businesses can scale the features and functionalities of the software and customize it to meet their needs. It offers a web-based GUI, using which you can easily deploy the system.
FreePBX offers greater flexibility, and in case you have an Asterisk system, you can just deploy the GUI and run the system. Experts recommend that to set up the entire PBX system, purchasing a comprehensive package covering Linux OS, Asterisk, and GUI is the best option.
- Call recording reports.
- Caller ID
- Voicemail notifications
- FreePBX software is free and does not incur licensing costs.
- UI of FreePBX is easy to use, navigate, and access.
- FreePBX offers basic and advanced training courses and programs.
- FreePBX has advanced call management features, which are appropriate for call centers.
- There exist no limitations on the extensions, queues, etc., that users can build upon.
- FreePBX software lacks click-to-call functionality.
- To get dedicated support, you must pay, as it is not covered under the free plan.
Pricing
- The basic version is free
- Additional costs for add-on modules
7. SIPfoundry
Being in the field since 2004, SIPfoundry offers tough competition to Asterisk. Using SIPfoundry, you can create a communication system for your entire business. It supports multiple channels, including voice and video abilities, and has robust chat functionalities.
The free PBX software is available as open-source. You can download and customize the SIPfoundry system to meet your business needs. You can deploy the software on-premise or cloud and make changes to the code to personalize the features and functionalities of the system. Beyond commercial businesses, the software is also used in the educational sector and government institutions.
- Conferencing abilities
- Video conferencing
- Call queuing
- SIPfoundry helps set up multiple calls in a single phone line.
- SIPfoundry is a secure platform that supports load sharing.
- It has advanced call management features and intelligent routing options, including circular, linear, ring all, and longest idle.
- SIPfoundry supports video and voice calling, an advantage over other free PBX software systems that lack video conferencing abilities.
- The software supports unlimited queues per PBX server.
- The installation is complex and requires technical expertise.
- To derive the fullest benefits, you need hardware installations that increase the cost of the system.
Pricing
- Free
8. OpenSIPs
OpenSIPs is a reputed open-source PBX software known for helping businesses build a unified communication system. The system is highly scalable and has a modular design that lets you add customized features per your business requirements. The website has many learning materials and manuals that can serve as a reference when you need clarifications.
One thing that sets OpenSIPs apart from other PBX software is that it is one of the fastest. It offers crucial statistics and metrics related to configuration. It has advanced call management features, so OpenSIPs is appropriate for call center management.
- Call recording
- Call forwarding
- Caller ID
- OpenSIPs has a plug-and-play module, so it is easy to extend the phone lines.
- OpenSIPs has recorded tutorials that offer guidance and support in navigating the tool.
- It is easy to use and navigate, which is appropriate for beginners and startups.
- Beyond voice, OpenSIPs offers video and messaging abilities.
- OpenSIPs is the fastest among open-source SIP servers.
- It offers a modular design and so is easy to scale and customize.
- OpenSIPs have limited features when compared to competitors.
- It has a steep learning curve, so learning takes a long time.
Pricing
- Free
9. 3CX
3CX is an open-source phone system known for reducing around 80% of the communication costs of businesses. The best thing about 3CX is that it can be deployed on the local or remote PBX server. You can choose one of the above depending on the flexibility and security requirements.
3CX has click-to-call functionality to add to a webpage or mobile app, making it easy for customers to reach out to you. The company provides several training materials and resources so you can show references.
- CRM integration
- Auto attendants
- Instant messaging
- 3CX is compatible with mobile apps and web browsers, so it can be accessed from anywhere, anytime.
- 3CX can be integrated with CRM and other collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Office 365, HubSpot, etc.
- It supports on-premise and cloud deployment, which is appropriate for regulated organizations.
- 3CX is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, etc., so it is appropriate for managing a distributed workforce.
- It has a click-to-call functionality that lets you receive direct calls from websites or mobile apps.
- 3CX supports video, voice, and chat abilities, so you can communicate with customers in their preferred mode.
- 3CX does not have GSuite integration support.
- The free version does not offer free live customer support and limits the number of users to 10.
Pricing
- 3CX Free
- 3CX SMB: $175 per system
- 3CX PRO: Professional – $145 per system
- 3CX ENT: Enterprise – $180 per system
10. Kamailio
Holding a legacy of 15+ years, Kamailio is developed by a team of experienced developers who know in and out of the VoIP and SIP protocol. The PBX is robust and proactive in adding features and updates based on evolving trends.
Kamailio is one of the popular PBX software solutions and emphasizes more on data security. It has stringent authentication and authorization methods and is appropriate for businesses functioning in highly regulated environments such as banks, healthcare, government, etc.
- SIP trunking
- Voice mailbox
- Instant messaging
- Kamailio goes well with third-party modules, so you can easily extend its functionality.
- It supports WebRTC applications and VoIP integration.
- You can extend the functionality easily by using the plug-and-play module.
- Kamailio can be deployed on-premises as well as on cloud infrastructure.
- The system is updated promptly, so it helps align your business communication to the evolving trends.
- You must have a deeper technical understanding of VoIP systems and SIP protocol to deploy and customize the system.
- Kamailio has limited customization, so adjusting the features to meet your business needs is difficult.
Pricing
- Free
11.FreeSWITCH
With 5000+ clients across the globe, FreeSWITCH is one of the most popular free PBX software systems. It was developed by three developers who were involved in the development of Asterisk PBX. You can communicate with clients and customers using multiple channels, including voice, video, text, etc.
FreeSWITCH can support major communication technologies, including SIP, H.323, and WebRTC. It is one of the most flexible PBX software systems available.
- Call recording
- Call transfer
- Speech synthesis
- FreeSWITCH is simple, easy to deploy, and navigate.
- FreeSWITCH offers extensive support in deployment, bug fixing, and deployment assessments.
- It supports SIP compliance across all modules.
- FreeSWITCH has advanced features like text-to-speech conversion, call recording, speech synthesis, voicemail transcription, etc.
- FreeSWITCH has speech recognition and synthesis modules, which help build a personalized IVR system.
- It goes well with other open-source platforms.
- FreeSWITCH lacks in-built redundancy.
- Processing demands a larger PBX server which can increase the cost of the system.
Pricing
- Free
Conclusion
90% of customers agree they make major purchasing decisions based on communication quality. As mentioned earlier, effective communication is a crucial determinant of business success. PBX systems help streamline communication and help businesses respond to all customer calls immediately.
In the blog, we have presented the top 11 free PBX software, and while choosing the best one, you must factor in several factors, like business size, features, and functionalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, PBX is better than VoIP because it has software and hardware features that help businesses and individuals streamline their communication. PBX has advanced call management features like call recording, predictive dialer, caller ID, intelligent routing, etc.
PBX is both a hardware and software system, where the software can be deployed on computers using Windows servers, Linux, or Mac, and the hardware has to be decided based on business requirements.
There are four types of PBX systems.
- Traditional PBX system
- Traditional IP PBX
- Cloud-based PBX
- Hybrid PBX
The best PBX system depends on business size, affordability constraints, feature requirements, etc. If you are looking for an affordable solution for all businesses, DialerHQ is the best, as even the free version offers several advanced features.
Sindhu Bharathi is an inquisitive learner and prolific B2B/SaaS writer with experience of working in diverse industries. She has a demonstrated history of delivering well-researched, original content. From generating long-form articles, blogs, and white papers to social media copies, she pivots her skills to resonate with the medium and deliver compelling content that has the power to captivate the audience.
Updated : April 7, 2024
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