SMB Free Edition Discontinued?

[DatawiseSolutions]

It seems the free edition of 3CX is discontinued. I got to access my portal and it tells me a subscription is required.

The documentation online confusing.

What am I supposed to do? Is the only option to pay or do I leave 3CX and go somewhere else? I only have one IP phone and the mobile app.

 

[destn]

Post in thread '3cx Free System no longer appearing in "My Systems" but working fine'

Mar 6, 2026

Hey guys, this is because of some changes we've recently made to simplify the user's experience, you may read more about it here:
https://www.3cx.com/blog/news/smb-portal-access/

• ChrisC_3CX

• 

It seems the free edition of 3CX is discontinued. I got to access my portal and it tells me a subscription is required.

The documentation online confusing.

What am I supposed to do? Is the only option to pay or do I leave 3CX and go somewhere else? I only have one IP phone and the mobile app.

 

[DatawiseSolutions]

Post in thread '3cx Free System no longer appearing in "My Systems" but working fine'

Mar 6, 2026

Hey guys, this is because of some changes we've recently made to simplify the user's experience, you may read more about it here:
https://www.3cx.com/blog/news/smb-portal-access/

• ChrisC_3CX

• 

That is what I read already. So that tells me I need to switch away from 3CX. It basically just says you won't have any access to anything to configure your call handling and to screw off. Stupid decision by 3CX.

 

[SteveITS]

Log in to the server directly.
https://www.3cx.com/blog/news/smb-portal-access/

 

[DatawiseSolutions]

Log in to the server directly.
https://www.3cx.com/blog/news/smb-portal-access/

That link provides no information about connecting directly to the server. If I log into the portal it says a subscription is required now and I have to either pay $690/year or delete my account. It also says if I still want to use IP phones then I need to find another VoIP provider. It would've been nice if 3CX notified everyone before making this change. Now my business phone lines are down because I was not made aware.

 

[N_G]

No you are talking rubbish. 3CX SMB edition is available - you login directly to your admin portal. Everything is explained in the blog post you probably didn't read.

 

[destn]

That is what I read already. So that tells me I need to switch away from 3CX. It basically just says you won't have any access to anything to configure your call handling and to screw off. Stupid decision by 3CX.

Not sure what youre speaking about. You just cant login with the old portal and need to use your FQDN assigned to your SMB account. e.g. https://1337.3cx.cloud . Do you not know what your address is somehow?

The site is still accessible as it was before. The only thing that changed was where you login from...*for now* it seems.

I agree, it wouldve made more sense to mention it publicly before causing a flood of the same threads on the forums but not much can be done now. Except when someone finally pins that info to the top. *someone please pin it to the top*

 

[N_G]

But why would someone have been using the customer portal account to login twice - login there to see the link and then login again to the SMB admin account.

You we're always supposed to login directly to your SMB account. So we didn't think someone would go to the customer portal account it makes no sense.

 

[destn]

But why would someone have been using the customer portal account to login twice - login there to see the link and then login again to the SMB admin account.

You we're always supposed to login directly to your SMB account. So we didn't think someone would go to the customer portal account it makes no sense.

From a UI/UX perspective, just logging in from 3CX one could reasonably expect to be forwarded to the proper credentialed portal. Instead they are redirected without explanation.

That said to your point, the first time I myself couldn't login through 3cx.com. I went back and looked at my email and just used my assigned FQDN ever since.

 

[kjuzs]

I'm in a similiar predicament. I used to be able to log into portal.3cx.com but that is no longer available. I can log into xxxx.3cx.cloud. However, the portal access was able to give me my license key and when it expires. Now, i can't see a way to see what my license key is and when it expires or even what I'm using (SMB? 3cx Free? 3cx Basic?). I remember paying a fee for 3cx to host and just need to know when to renew.

 

[SteveITS]

Well if you’re on this forum 3CX thinks you have SMB which is free. A while back there was a paid version, maybe you had that? That ended. Do you have an old receipt or email?

 

[N_G]

I'm in a similiar predicament. I used to be able to log into portal.3cx.com but that is no longer available. I can log into xxxx.3cx.cloud. However, the portal access was able to give me my license key and when it expires. Now, i can't see a way to see what my license key is and when it expires or even what I'm using (SMB? 3cx Free? 3cx Basic?). I remember paying a fee for 3cx to host and just need to know when to renew.

You have a free edition, we have not charged you anything.

 

[kjuzs]

I've tried looking for receipts but can't find anything but I remember paying for 3sx to host? I just would like to know what version we are using (name of version, version number) and license ke/number and when we have to renew. I don't want to be suddenly without a working phone. 3cx has been a great service for us!

 

[KyriacosS_3CX]

Hello, if the URL of your PBX ends in 3cx.cloud, you are on the SMB Free.

 

[kjuzs]

OK, thanks for letting me know that. So is SMB Free being phased out? Is there a license key for it? I still need to pay for 3cx hosting it right?

 

[bitn2]

OK, thanks for letting me know that. So is SMB Free being phased out? Is there a license key for it? I still need to pay for 3cx hosting it right?

No key and no cost...

 

[N_G]

You have a free SMB account. We have not charged you anything as per my message above. SMB free is provided as is at no cost without support.

Its very likely that by the end of the year SMB Free will be switched to SMB Basic but it will remain free. SMB Basic means you will not have IP Phone support or call queues. If you need IP Phones, queues or support you will have to get SMB via a 3CX partner