Get a free cloud PBX for your business

A cloud PBX is, in basic terms, a business phone system hosted by the service provider or in a cloud service. There are a number of free cloud PBX services out there that will meet the needs of small businesses. In most cases, part of the service is free perpetually, or the service is free on a trial basis. This article highlights what to look out for when looking for a free cloud solution for your business.

What is a cloud PBX?

cloud pbx

A PBX or private branch exchange is an office phone system that provides call routing to internal extensions, as well as connection to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This simply means it enables inbound and outbound calls from external numbers.

Modern PBXs work over a company’s local area network (LAN) and the internet. These connect SIP or VoIP phones to a PBX server, meaning that the phone system can work over traditional phone lines or existing network infrastructure. This is called an IP PBX (IP = internet protocol). Since IP PBXs work over an internet connection, the system does not have to be located on premise.

A cloud PBX or virtual PBX is simply a modern IP PBX system that is hosted in a cloud service rather than on premise.

What do I get for free?

Usually, a cloud PBX solution will offer certain aspects for free, or be free for a limited time. It’s important for businesses to identify exactly what is free and what costs are implied, either immediately or down the road. The following are ways businesses can get a free virtual PBX.

  • Free trial - Most hosted PBX solutions will offer a free trial. It’s important to evaluate the length of the free trial. A month may not be long enough to fully get a feel for whether a phone system meets a business’s needs.
  • Free Hosting - Some PBX providers may provide free hosting, either as a free trial or as part of a paid package.
  • Free Edition - Providers may offer basic PBX features completely and perpetually free. These may meet the ongoing needs of small businesses. Some will include services that others do not - such as video conferencing. Be sure to identify the features you need and find the service that includes them.

What do I have to pay for?

Considering what will have a cost to them, either immediately or in the long term will help you plan and determine if those costs fit into your budget. The following are possible costs to consider:

  • Free Trial Editions - If the offering is a free trial, consider the costs after the trial expires. Also, which version is offered in the free trial? If it’s the most expensive full-featured version, you will either pay more to keep those features after the trial ends, or you will need to stop using them. Generally, it’s best to start with the same version you’ll be using in the long term.
  • External Hosting - With a perpetually free PBX license, you may need to cover the hosting costs. However, hosting providers such as Google Cloud and Amazon often charge very accessible low rates for virtual machines tailored to your consumption. This will likely be more affordable than investing in expensive hardware for on-premise solutions.
  • IT & Maintenance - Some free PBXs may be very difficult to install and manage. This could mean higher costs for the ongoing time and training required for your IT staff. Be sure to investigate ease of installation and maintenance.
  • Security - If a free PBX does not have up-to-date built-in security, you will need to invest in additional security and monitoring
  • Ongoing Hosting - If hosting is offered as a free trial, investigate the ongoing cost after the trial.
  • Monthly Phone Calls - Be sure to investigate what SIP trunks are compatible with your phone system. A free cloud PBX system that lets you choose a competitive SIP trunk provider may be more cost-effective than a low-cost monthly package that includes only limited calling.
  • Enterprise Functionality - It’s important to note that a completely free virtual PBX system may not include many advanced features that larger businesses will need. For example, call flow design, advanced contact center and call recording may not be included. This may not be a problem for a small business communication needs.

A further consideration is that some providers may allow you to switch hosting providers, or move on premise as your business grows. This gives you complete control of your data and will help avoid expensive migration costs in the future.

Knowing what you have to pay for and how much that will cost will allow you to choose the PBX solution best suited to your business.

Why should you choose the 3CX free cloud PBX?

3CX FREE is a business communication solution that is hosted and fully managed by 3CX. It’s the ideal PBX for small businesses, which is easily scalable as the business grows. Features include:

  • Perpetually free for up to 10 users including hosting.
  • Built in features such as live chat, WhatsApp integration and SMS.
  • Up to 25 web conferencing participants - no time limit.
  • Web browser and mobile apps to enable remote work.

  • Auto attendant and ring group.

  • Easy deployment - up and running in a few minutes.

Further reading