3CX review

3CX is a phone system first, but its free edition covers what a small call center needs on day one. 3CX SMB Free is free for up to 10 users, is hosted by 3CX, and its product page says call queues, recording and a digital receptionist with IVR are included at no extra cost. Agents work from iOS, Android and Windows apps or a Web Client, and the same system handles Live Chat, inbound WhatsApp, SMS and video calls. The catch is telephony: 3CX has no built-in numbers, so you open an account with a supported SIP trunk provider and pay that provider for numbers and call minutes. When you outgrow 10 users, paid editions are licensed per system by simultaneous calls rather than per seat, starting with Basic at $300 a year for 8 simultaneous calls. 3CX also notes that some functions on free subscriptions can be withdrawn without prior warning, so treat the free edition as a starting point rather than a contract.

Who it is for

Small offices of up to 10 users that want queues and recording at $0 in license fees

Price

SMB Free costs $0 for up to 10 users; Basic from $300 a year for 8 simultaneous calls; you pay a SIP trunk provider for numbers and minutes.

8SC BASIC $300 $300 $0.63
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• SMB Free edition is free for up to 10 users
• Call queues and call recording included in the free edition
• Digital receptionist with IVR to route callers by department
• Apps for iOS, Android and Windows plus a Web Client
• Live Chat, inbound WhatsApp, SMS and video calls in the same system

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The only tool here whose free edition includes both call queues and recording
• Strength: SMB Free is hosted by 3CX, so there is no server to run
• Strength: Paid editions are priced per system, not per user, from $300 a year
• Weakness: No built-in phone numbers: you need a SIP trunk account to call external numbers
• Weakness: Free edition is capped at 10 users
• Weakness: 3CX states it can revoke some functions from free subscriptions without prior warning

Key facts

• Free edition: 3CX SMB Free, up to 10 users
• Phone numbers: From a supported SIP trunk provider
• Paid editions: Basic, PRO and AI, priced by simultaneous calls
• Cheapest paid license: $300 a year, Basic, 8 simultaneous calls

Where it ranks

3CX is No. 1 in our Best Free Call Center Software verdict.