Top 5 3CX Alternatives for Business Phone Systems in 2024

Why do you need a 3CX Alternative?

3CX focuses on three major communication solutions; crystal-clear calls, a user-friendly interface, and keeping your costs predictable.

With its useful features that enable companies to handle all of their communication needs through a single platform, 3CX has established itself over the years as a contact management solution. This has allowed their customers to cut costs and gain access to scalability without paying additional licensing fees.

However, following a complex on-premise deployment process, users encounter challenges with technicalities, closed-source networks, quality of calls, and customer service response. Notably, users report certain difficulties in navigating the user interface.

Whether you’re searching for more advanced features, looking for a more affordable option, or simply want a different user experience, there are several available alternatives for you. In this guide, we cover some factors to consider while choosing the right 3cx alternative and detailed information on those alternatives.

What should you look for in a 3CX Alternative?

• Features: What features are you looking for in your business solution? User interface, software integration, or maybe call recording? Make a list of must-haves to guide your search.
• Ease of use: You want a platform that's user-friendly for everyone on your team, so it should be easy to use.
• Integration station: Ensure that the platform plays nicely with your existing tools. Whether it's your CRM, helpdesk software, or project management system, seamless integration is key to keeping your workflow smooth.
• Flexibility and scalability: You have plans to see your business grow, therefore, you need a solution that can grow with you. Look for a platform that's flexible enough to adapt to your changing needs and scalable to accommodate your expanding team.
• Pricing: Budget is always important, so make sure that the platform you’re going for has pricing options aligned with your budget.
• User feedback: Lastly, don't forget to check out reviews and testimonials from other users. Their experiences will offer valuable insights into what the platform is really like and help you to make better decisions.

The 5 Best 3CX Alternatives To Use In 2024

The following is a list of five 3CX cloud business calling alternatives. The software listed below has proven to be a useful tools in providing calling sims to organizations and businesses.

1. Distrobird

Distrobird is a cloud-based customer and sales engagement platform, designed to streamline sales and manage customer interactions. It is an all-in-one platform managing phone calls, SMS communications, and emails, along with product features like web chats, shared team inbox, and automated campaigns.

It also integrates seamlessly with various popular CRM and business tools, notably HubSpot, Gmail, Stripe, Microsoft Outlook, Twilio, Zapier, Clearbit, Zoho, Telnyx, Salesforce and NGP VAN.

Distrobird best features

• Local phone number support in 103 countries.
• Unlimited inbound calls in the US and Canada.
• Hold music and customizable voicemail greetings.
• Team office hours and call recording data stored for 3-12 months.
• Simultaneous, round-robin, fixed order, and longest-idle time call and SMS routing.
• Queue callback and call barging for improved customer service.
• Do-not-contact (DNC) lists to adhere to regulatory requirements.
• Call previews and power dialers for effective outreach.
• Offers multi-channel communication for diverse outreach strategies.
• Automation of tasks to streamline workflow and increase efficiency.
• Various sales-focused features to enhance sales processes.
• Provides a customer-centric inbox for organized and effective communication.
• Enables businesses to streamline customer or prospect engagements for enhanced productivity.

Distrobird limitations

• The free plan is limited to 3 uses.
• Available only on the web; no mobile application.

Distrobird pricing

• Free Plan: Free
• Startup: $8/month (shared inbox) or $25/month (sequences and voice)
• Growth: $50/month
• Enterprise: $75/month

2. CloudTalk

CloudTalk is a business calling solution used by customer service and sales teams that allows businesses to connect with customers instantly, automate workflows, and provide managers with analytics to manage performance. It provides features like call center recording, interactive voice response, and automated text messages.

CloudTalk best features

• It allows you to track and analyze calls, providing valuable insights into your customer interactions, CRM integrations, and workflow automation tools.
• It supports SMS messaging, allowing you to communicate with customers through text messages.
• It provides a comprehensive analytical tool that enables you to track key metrics and make data-driven decisions to improve your communication strategies.

CloudTalk limitations

• The entry-level plan is limited and texting is charged per message
• There is no built-in tool for collaboration features or integrations for software like Zoom, Slack, or Teams.
• It doesn’t include plans for forecasting, scheduling, or workforce engagement features.

CloudTalk pricing

• Starter: $25/month
• Essential: $30/month
• Expert: $50/month
• Custom: Talk to the sales team

3. Dialpad

Dialpad is an AI-powered communication platform that helps you build reliable customer relationships, and manage customer-centric tasks. It is a platform designed to boost the performance of the sales and marketing team with its sales outreach and customer service feature, which allows you to reach prospects and monitor customer satisfaction.

Dialpad best features

• Dialpad has seamless integration with popular CRM platforms like Salesforce and Zendesk, allowing you to build a streamlined workflow and enhance your productivity.
• Its open APIs allow users to build custom workflows for their team which makes it easy to customize the process of communication.
• Dialpad provides pre-built playbook templates based on well-known sales tactics that are tailored to the particular requirements of your company.

Dialpad limitations

• There are no free trial periods instead your account is charged with unstated license fees without any access to a customer representative to lay complaints
• Inaccessible Customer support
• Lacks an efficient call reporting system.

Dialpad pricing

• Integrated: $15/month
• Professional: $25/month
• Enterprise: Contact sales

4. ZoomOne

ZoomOne is an all-in-one collaboration and communication platform for seamless, personalized interaction for your teams across various channels. ZoomOne is a great solution for businesses seeking an all-in-one communication platform for board meetings, team chats, calls, scheduling, etc.

ZoomOne best features

• ZoomOne offers an event platform to host virtual and hybrid events to optimize your workforce performance and engagement
• It provides a communication platform for your teams in multiple places to connect and collaborate, all from one unified platform in an easy-to-use interface.
• Integrations with various CRM platforms.
• Conversation analytics to improve customer experience.

ZoomOne limitations

• There is uneven functionality with third-party software integrations.
• Poor security features to protect customer’s data
• Lack of updates in functionality
• ZoomOne, like other CRM platforms, relies heavily on a stable internet connection, and any disruption in internet connectivity can affect call quality and reliability.

ZoomOne pricing

• Basic: Free
• Professional: $14.99/month
• Business: $21.99/month
• Business plus: Contact Sales

5. RingCentral

RingCentral is a cloud-based communication solution that unifies team collaboration, conferencing, and online meetings designed for your business communications. It offers a VoIP (”voice over internet protocol”) that provides organizations with online meetings, SMS, group messaging, and call management features for inbound and outbound communication.

RingCentral best features

• It offers a cloud storage system to store and transfer data over the internet.
• RingCentral offers collaboration features such as voice and video conferencing, and screen sharing enabling teams to work together more effectively.
• It is compatible with mobile devices i.e. both iOS and Android.

RingCentral limitations

• The user interface can not be easily navigated
• Inaccessible customer support.
• Continuous charge of fees even after canceling your account from the payment system

RingCentral pricing

• Core: $20/month
• Advanced: $25/month
• Ultra: $35/month

Which Cloud Contact Center is Right For You?

Finding the right 3CX alternative depends on your specific needs and budget.

Distrobird stands out as a comprehensive solution, offering an all-in-one platform for calls, emails, SMS, and integrations with popular CRMs and business tools.

Its features cater to both sales and customer support teams, with functionalities like multi-channel communication, automation, and a customer-centric inbox for streamlined workflows.

Whether you're a startup or an established business, Distrobird's scalable pricing plans make it a cost-effective choice. Create your free Distrobird account and see how it can transform your customer interactions!