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When you’re choosing a business phone system, the stakes are higher than ever. Imagine investing time and resources into a solution only to realize later it doesn’t scale as your business grows or adapt to your evolving communication needs.
In such decisions, IT managers and CIOs often find themselves at a crossroads, evaluating hosted PBX versus UCaaS, each promising cost savings and efficiency. If you’re a small to mid-sized business, you need something that is budget-friendly and ready to grow with your aspirational ambitions. On the other hand, buyers in enterprise telecom communication, who are often anchored to legacy systems like Cisco or Avaya, would prefer something more agile.
This article will help you cut through 3CX’s pricing plans, breaking down precisely what you would be paying for. It will help you build confidence in deciding whether 3CX truly serves your business needs at a cost that fits your budget, or it’s time to explore 3CX alternatives.
⚠️ There are some significant changes to 3CX pricing in 2026.
Read below for more info.
Why IT Admins Use 3CX
Below are some key reasons why 3CX is popular on the market among IT people.
Flexible deployment
The company offers a flexible, self-hosted platform where you manage everything. If you want, you can deploy it on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, too.
There’s an option to host with 3CX itself, where the company manages the setup and hosting for a premium. This starts at $295 for the 8-simultaneous-call (SC) package.
Feature-rich out of the box
You get different call center phone system features. For example:
- Interactive voice response (IVR) allows callers to interact with a system through voice or keypad inputs to access information or services.
- Call queues handle incoming calls and place them in line to be answered when your team is busy with other calls.
- Ring groups allow you to have incoming calls ring to multiple employees on your account.
- Voicemail transcription turns voicemails into text.
- Call analytics measures data related to incoming and outgoing calls.
- Web conferencing support for up to 250 participants on Enterprise plans.
- Mobile and browser-based softphones help professionals manage communication on the go.
Advanced PBX controls
The platform delivers comprehensive, advanced PBX controls that are ideal for organizations with in-house IT. It ensures you have granular control over business communication.
Cost savings — with a catch
3CX solutions appear inexpensive for high call volumes because you pay a flat annual fee based on the number of simultaneous calls, not per user. However, the true cost can escalate as you layer on higher editions for advanced features and add separate expenses for hosting, SIP trunks, SSL, and support.
Later in this article, we examine these hidden expenses in more detail.
3CX Updated Pricing Explained
3CX uses a pricing model based on the number of simultaneous calls (SC), so you pay an annual license per system based on the number of simultaneous calls, not by user or extension. These are flat annual license fees before you add hosting, SIP trunks, support, or any partner services.
The pricing displayed on their website does not outline the pricing for each plan, whether self-hosted or cloud-hosted.
This requires prospective 3CX customers to click six different times per row to see the cost of its PBX software. That’s a hassle.
… So, we did it for you.
Self-Hosted 3CX Pricing Plans (DIY) in 2026
- Server Hosting – You need to provide server infrastructure, ingress/egress network infrastructure, and power/network continuity.
- PSTN/Telephony Service – You need to purchase and pay for SIP trunking telephony providers, ensure you have compliant services (e.g. E911, 10DLC, and Robocall Mitigation) configured and tested, and failover continuity in place.
- Staffing & System Updates – You need be savvy with VoIP/SIP technology and/or pay for an IT company or technician to maintain your system, apply vendor and OS security updates, verify and distribute client-side app updates, and pay extra to resolve technical issues or submit help tickets.
- Simultaneous calls AND Max Users limits apply – Only 14–20% of your installed users may be able to communicate at the same time.
| Simultaneous calls |
Max users |
Basic | PRO | ENT/AI | ENT+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 SC | 40 | $320 | $350 | $575 | $775 |
| 16 SC | 80 | $640 | $750 | $1,095 | $1,445 |
| 24 SC | 120 | $825 | $1,095 | $1,595 | N/A |
| 32 SC | 192 | $1,050 | $1,395 | $1,995 | N/A |
| 48 SC | 288 | $1,650 | $2,195 | $3,250 | N/A |
| 64 SC | 384 | $2,175 | $2,895 | $4,250 | N/A |
| 96 SC | 672 | $3,375 | $4,495 | $6,500 | N/A |
| 128 SC | 896 | $4,500 | $5,995 | $8,495 | N/A |
| 192 SC | 1344 | $6,750 | $8,995 | $12,995 | N/A |
| 256 SC | 2048 | $9,000 | $11,995 | $16,995 | N/A |
| 512 SC | 4096 | $14,250 | $18,995 | $26,995 | N/A |
| 1024 SC | 8192 | $26,250 | $34,995 | $49,995 | N/A |
3CX-Hosted Annual Pricing Plans in 2026
- No live phone support – Customers do not get to speak with 3CX technical support.
- Simultaneous calls AND Max Users limits apply – Only 14–20% of your installed users may be able to communicate at the same time.
- Support tickets are sold in singles/bundles – 3CX states it is for IT admins with networking experience and urges customers to contact affiliated third-parties for support.
- Restricted support knowledge tiers – Only select customers and Silver+ partners may receive senior level support tiers.
- Two-day response time SLA – Support tickets are handled only during office hours, excluding weekends and holidays, and responses are expected within 48 hours.
Source: 3CX
| Simultaneous calls |
Max users |
Basic | PRO | ENT/AI | ENT+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 SC | 40 | Not offered | $645 | $870 | $1,070 |
| 16 SC | 80 | $1,035 | $1,150 | $1,495 | $1,840 |
| 24 SC | 120 | $1,220 | $1,495 | $1,995 | Not offered |
| 32 SC | 192 | $1,845 | $1,895 | $2,495 | Not offered |
| 48 SC | 288 | $2,445 | $2,995 | $4,050 | Not offered |
| 64 SC | 384 | $2,970 | $3,895 | $5,250 | Not offered |
| 96 SC | 672 | $5,070 | $6,190 | $8,195 | Not offered |
| 128 SC | 896 | $6,195 | $7,690 | $14,990 | Not offered |
| 192 SC | 1344 | $8,745 | $10,990 | $6,195 | Not offered |
| 256 SC | 2048 | $10,995 | $13,990 | $18,990 | Not offered |
| 512 SC | 4096 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| 1024 SC | 8192 | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
3CX pricing plans for 2026 are current as of December 22, 2025. Pricing may change at any time.
2026 Updates:
More advanced capabilities like richer AI features, deeper analytics, and expanded contact center controls sit in higher‑tier editions, so you’ll need to move up the stack to Enterprise/AI and pay more as you grow.
Let’s explore its various editions in detail.
3CX Basic Edition
The 3CX Basic Edition is designed for organizations with tighter budgets and fewer telephony requirements. It starts at approximately $320 per year for 8 SC (roughly 20% less than the PRO edition). Its licensing fees can reach $775 in the ENT+ edition if you upgrade.
In the Basic Edition, 3CX offers:
- Features like Intercom, Paging, and BLFs.
- User Sync with Google or Microsoft and Single Sign On (SSO).
- Basic reports and wake-up call reminders.
- Hotel integration (available for 16 SC and above).
3CX Professional Edition
The 3CX Professional Edition (also known as 3CX Pro) starts at $350 per year for 8 SC. The maximum capacity is 1,024 SC for $34,995 per year.
In the Professional Edition, 3CX offers:
- Web conferencing for up to 100 participants.
- Call reporting and call recording.
- Fully qualified domain name (FQDN)
- Voicemail transcription using Google, OpenAI, or 3CX AI. However, more advanced capabilities like richer AI features, deeper analytics, and expanded contact center controls sit in higher‑tier editions, so you’ll need to move up the stack to Enterprise/AI and pay more as you grow.
3CX Enterprise / AI Edition
The 3CX license for Enterprise/AI Edition (ENT/AI) starts at $575 per year for 8 SC and scales to a maximum capacity of 1,024 SC for $49,995. The 3CX Enterprise/AI tier adds more advanced features on top of Pro and is priced higher per system for the same SC levels. As you scale your simultaneous calls, Enterprise/AI quickly becomes a sizable annual spend layered on top of your separate hosting and carrier costs.
In the ENT/AI plan, you receive
- Web conferencing for up to 250 users
- Advanced contact center tools (like skill-based routing and MS Teams direct routing integration for 16+ SC)
- Enterprise-grade security. This edition is designed for businesses that need full flexibility to run AI transcription on-premise or in a private cloud.
- Ability to schedule a system restore so you can take regular snapshots in the event of a system failure to cutover to another standby PBX server.
3CX Enterprise Plus (ENT+) Edition
The 3CX Enterprise Plus Edition is designed to provide high-quality call transcription for smaller installations (8 SC and 16 SC) without requiring specialized local hardware. Unlike the other 3CX editions, ENT+ is only available for up to 16 simultaneous calls and 40 or 80 users, respectively. It starts at $775 per year for 8 SC.
In the Enterprise+ Edition, 3CX offers:
- Cloud-powered call transcription managed and optimized by 3CX.
- Bundled annual transcription minutes: 30,000 minutes for 8 SC and 60,000 minutes for 16 SC.
- Web conferencing for up to 250 participants.
- Ability to give Google or OpenAI voicemails for API-based transcription.
- Remote database connectivity to Grafana or PowerPI
3CX Basic Edition (coming soon)
In late 2025, 3CX introduced a Basic Edition for customers who only want core telephony, without advanced AI or CRM integrations. It is expected to be priced below Pro and published with its own SC‑based price grid (for example, 8 SC, 16 SC, and higher tiers with maximum extension limits).
While this looks cheaper on paper, you still need to factor in separate hosting, SIP trunking, SSL (if you self‑host with your own domain), and support or partner services for deployment and ongoing management. For many growing teams, that combination can erase the initial savings compared to a fully hosted, per‑user platform like Nextiva.
3CX Hosting Options
- Self‑hosted: Requires infrastructure, ongoing maintenance, and IT expertise to manage the PBX and updates.
- Cloud‑hosted: Runs on your own cloud provider (such as Amazon or Azure), so you pay that vendor separately for compute, storage, and bandwidth.
- 3CX‑hosted: Uses 3CX’s own hosting for an additional fee based on SC levels, separate from the license cost.
Hidden Costs of Self-Hosted PBXs
Many hidden costs aren’t apparent when considering 3CX for the first time or evaluating the ROI as an existing user. Let’s take a look at them.
Support tickets
3CX charges the user $100 per support ticket when you purchase one. If you opt for five support tickets, the cost is $350. This cost doesn’t change based on the number of SCs you have signed up for. During free trials, free support is available via the 3CX dedicated Trial Forum for the duration of the trial.
SSL certificates
The cost for a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate only applies if you choose to self-host 3CX using your own custom domain (FQDN). If you use the FQDN provided by 3CX or opt for the “Hosted by 3CX” solution, the SSL certificate is included and managed by 3CX at no extra charge.
On average, a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate costs between $8 and $1,000 per year. The cost depends on factors such as the number of domains, the validation process, the warranty, and the certificate’s issuing authority.
SIP trunking
SIP trunking replaces traditional phone lines by enabling voice and other communication platform features, like video and messaging, over the internet using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
3CX mentions the supported SIP trunk providers on its features page. However, it doesn’t include voice service. You must purchase it separately from a SIP trunk provider.
Training and setup
On the website, 3CX mentions: “Our support is suited for IT admins with networking expertise. If you lack this expertise, contact a 3CX Partner.” This suggests that unless your team is highly technical, you’ll need paid support from 3CX partners.
Add-ons
While 3CX has already integrated some AI features into its Enterprise plan, its main pricing calculator lists a separate, more comprehensive AI add-on as “Launching Soon.
Are you paying more? Get a hint of how much a business phone line costs.
Compare 3CX to Nextiva
If you feel you’re not getting enough value out of 3CX for what you’re paying or simply considering other alternatives, here’s an overview of how Nextiva serves as a better alternative compared to 3CX:
| Feature | 3CX | Nextiva Power Suite CX |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per SC | Per user per month (predictable) |
| Call Capacity | Limited by SC license | Unlimited |
| Hosting | Self-managed or extra cost | Included (Nextiva-hosted cloud) |
| Support | Paid or per ticket | 24/7 support included |
| AI & Automation | Paid add-on | Included (AI summaries, IVR, analytics) |
| CRM Integrations | Available | Native (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, etc.) |
| Web & Mobile App | Yes | Yes, fully integrated |
| Call Analytics & Reporting | Yes (Advanced on Enterprise) | Real-time and scheduled reports |
| Video, SMS, & Voice in One App | Partial | Desktop, mobile, and web communications (All platforms) |
Based on this comparison, you can draw a few conclusions that suggest Nextiva as a stronger alternative to 3CX.
Why Nextiva Is a Better Alternative
If you’re curious about Nextiva, here are some key factors that make it a stronger alternative to 3CX, especially in pricing.
Nextiva has ranked first of 13 of G2’s reports across call center infrastructure, UCaaS, cloud PBX, and VoIP platforms.
There’s more to it; this is just a small overview to ensure you know what you’re gaining.
Simpler pricing
At Nextiva, you pay per user, not per call. You can scale this platform according to your ambitions without worrying about unexpected hosting or support fees.
Unlike 3CX, you get service from an award-winning support team at no additional cost. Based on 3400+ reviews on G2, users describe Nextiva support as “very knowledgeable,” “friendly,” and “quick.”
Nextiva has a 4.5/5-star rating on G2, with users praising its 24/7 availability, fast assistance, and excellent onboarding experience.
In fact, when you check G2’s Best VoIP providers, you’ll find Nextiva has a commanding lead at the top.
Ready for a hassle-free quote?
… You made it this far. Why not get a no-obligation quote and experience why Business VoIP is better on this side of the twisted pair? You can shop it around if you want, but we’re confident Nextiva is the best investment for your company’s communications.
If you want to upgrade to a phone system that keeps user tickets off your back and stakeholders from blowing up your Slack, you owe yourself a chance to bid farewell to the hassles and pricing roller coaster of 3CX.
Better not voice dissent on the 3CX forums. Word has it that the CEO deletes messages he disagrees with.
AI-driven efficiency
Nextiva’s Power Suite CX includes built-in voice transcription, sentiment tracking, and automatic summaries, empowering teams to drive greater communication efficiency. You get reliable functionality such as:
- Agent Assist with real-time suggestions and contextual support to assist human agents.
- Intelligent call routing based on customer history, behavior, and intent.
- Seamless AI integration with existing systems like CRM or other business tools.
- AI-driven recommendations with real-time improvements based on data trends and feedback.
- Predictive analytics to anticipate needs and offer personalized solutions.
- Context retention for a history of past interactions to get consistent, tailored responses.
Overall, you get a power-packed AI platform to scale communications intelligently.
Better experience for hybrid teams
Nextiva combines various channels, including calls, SMS, chat, and web conferencing, into a single unified platform. This makes it easier for a team to collaborate, regardless of their location or the device they’re using for communication.
Nextiva is accessible on mobile (Android and iOS) or a web browser and empowers hybrid teams to be on top of communication when they’re dispersed in different geographic locations and offices.
Zero IT headaches
The deployment is entirely cloud-based. Nextiva maintains 99.999% uptime as a value-added benefit. The platform handles SIP trunks, SSL certificates, and hosting; you don’t need to bust your brain getting these set up externally.
Is 3CX’s confusing pricing worth it?
There’s no doubt that 3CX is a powerful software-based IP PBX system, but its value primarily depends on the experience and expertise of your in-house team.
If you legitimately need a privately operated cloud with your own manual server administration, backups, on-call staff, and deep telecom experience, then 3CX may be a good pick.
But if you want to enjoy your 2-3 weeks of PTO each year, Nextiva is a better fit. It might not be the cheapest VoIP provider, but it’ll help keep your employees and customers on the same page and maybe even improve their quality of life.
Pound for pound, Nextiva delivers better communication features, platform vision, and customer support than you’ll find at 3CX.
For an SMB or mid-market team, Nextiva offers a comprehensive, unified, and cost-effective solution that can help you scale faster.
Explore Nextiva’s cloud PBX in detail and get a demo if you like what you see.
The cloud PBX IT admins trust
Upgrade to the best 3CX alternative: Nextiva. Top-rated VoIP, SMS, and video conferencing in one solution for less than you think.
FAQs
Start by looking at how many people are actually on the phone at the same time during your busiest hour, not how many extensions you have.
Many 3CX partners use a simple rule of thumb of roughly 1 SC per 3–4 extensions, then adjust for your specific use case (heavy sales/call center vs. light internal calling). A practical approach is to review historical usage from your current system or carrier bill, add headroom for peaks, queues, and conferences, then pick the next SC tier up so calls are not blocked when you hit your limit.
Remember: Nextiva does not charge you differently or limit your account for simultaneous calls.
When you self‑host 3CX, you pay for more than just the 3CX license. You need a server or cloud VM (e.g., AWS or Azure), storage, bandwidth, and, sometimes, an operating system license. If you use your own domain, you may also need an SSL certificate, which can cost from a few dollars to hundreds per year, depending on the type.
You also need to budget for SIP trunks from a phone carrier because 3CX does not include voice service. On top of that, there are “hidden” workload costs: monitoring the system, applying security updates, running regular backups, and planning for disaster recovery so you can restore service if the server fails. If your team does not have these skills, you may need to pay a 3CX partner or IT provider to manage the system for you.
For small teams with low call concurrency and strong in‑house IT skills, 3CX can be cost‑effective, especially if you use the free SMB plan (within its limits) or a low‑tier SC license and self‑host on existing infrastructure.
However, once you factor in external SIP trunks, SSL (if needed), hosting, backups, monitoring, and any paid support, the effective per‑user cost often rises closer to that of a per‑user UCaaS like Nextiva, particularly if you want advanced features such as AI, analytics, and contact center tools.
3CX tends to shine for small teams only when you can keep concurrency low, reuse infrastructure, and manage everything internally; if you must hire partners or MSPs for most tasks, the all‑in monthly cost can quickly narrow or even exceed the price of a managed UCaaS platform.
