Considering PBX Open source software for your business that matches your needs and requirements requires extensive research and knowledge of the PBX software. There is a lot of software in the market that offers PBX Open source in 2024.  

You might have questions about its use process, which to choose for your business, what the difference is between the other PBX phone system software, and finally, it is really free.

In this blog, we will discuss PBX software, how it works, the criteria for choosing the best open-source PBX software, a comparison of the Top free software, and how to choose the best software for your business. 

So let’s get into it. 

🔑 Key Highlights
  • PBX(Private Branch Exchange) open-source software offers a dedicated telephone network and unified platform to help organizations improve communication with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
  • It controls and deals with a number of telephony interfaces, including PSTN lines and VoIP gateways, in order to manage calls.
  • Leveraging PBX open-source software can benefit users by enabling the potential for customization and cost savings.

What is free PBX Open Source Software?

PBX(Private Branch Exchange) open-source software offers a dedicated telephone network and unified platform to help organizations improve communication with customers, suppliers, and internal teams. It offers a wide range of features that include call records, IVR, camm monitoring, auto attendant, and call blocking.  Unlike other software that requires payment, it is freely available for everyone to use, yet you might need technical expertise to use and maintain it. 

PBX software allows you to connect your office PC to a phone system, allowing you to manage and optimize the phone system from one place. Leveraging PBX open-source software can benefit users by enabling the potential for customization and cost savings. Open Source PBX software offers flexibility, adaptability, and mobility suitable for businesses of every size and type. 

How does Open Source PBX Software work?

Open-source PBX phone system software manages and routes the calls within the organization to the designated department, also enabling users to use features like call recording, call monitoring, IVR, etc. It basically controls internal and external telephone communication in the organization through a server-dependent system that is based on a Private Branch Exchange(PBX). 

It controls and deals with a number of telephony interfaces, including PSTN lines and VoIP gateways, in order to manage calls. A call management feature is to route the call according to the defined policies; the policies may be to connect it to a specific extension, an automated attendant, or connect it to a voice-mail box. 

It also controls internal communication since it links the users directly. Some of the functions are dynamic call forwarding, voicemail, call logging, call recording, and conferencing, which may be configured to complement the organization’s requirements. Also, the selection of open-source PBX software enables it to be connected to other systems, such as CRM tools and has a good level of customizable source code. 

Although it is largely dependent on the community’s support for its sustenance and upgrading, it is a cost-effective, highly flexible solution suitable for companies of different sizes. 

Criteria for choosing the best Open Source PBX Software

I. Features essential for your business

When deciding on the open-source PBX software to choose in a company, it is significant to focus on the basic features like call routing, voicemail, call forwarding, and call queues, as it is crucial for the smooth running of the business. 

Other features like auto attendant call recording or IVR or conference can add other merits based on business requirements. Further, make sure that your software can grow according to your business, which means that your software must be scalable so that if you experience growth in your business, you can scale your software without changing the whole software and hassling. 

Also, you need to consider whether the software is flexible or not because a system that can be adjusted to specific business needs and processes helps to fit and improve the overall organizational processes much better. 

II. Ease of use and user interface 

Open-source PBX software can be difficult to use at first. You need to learn how to use it by taking a class from an expert. Search for software that requires minimum training to use, as this can help your users learn quickly, and also, the new employee doesn’t need much time to learn a single software. 

It should consist of simple user management to facilitate efficient system administration and maintenance, ensuring smooth operation efficiency. Your chosen software needs to have an easy user interface, which can significantly reduce the setup time and complexity. 

III. Integrations 

Open-source PBX software is adopted with systems such as CRM platforms, email servers, and collaboration tools, among others, to optimize processes. Integration capabilities enable the PBX system to communicate with other applications and services through APIs. 

This connectivity improves productivity by integrating all communication modes and increasing automation. SIP calling compatibility should be highly supported so that the different service providers work efficiently with each other, thus enhancing the functionality and usage of the various systems. 

IV. Review and feedback

Another main criterion for having open-source PBX software is review and feedback. User feedback offers a perception of real-life performance and can either showcase the product’s fine attributes or newly discovered drawbacks. 

Examining your testimonials and case studies from other organizations may provide you with different viewpoints on reliability and effectiveness. The cases of bugs and errors are also resolved here along with other support channels help to give a practical view of the software’s usefulness within the community. 

Recommendations and valuable feedback reveal a solid and reliable system that may support selection choices and define disadvantages or capabilities before sticking to the solution. 

V. Security and reliability 

Open-source PBX software must be reliable and compliant with all regulations. Thus, confirm initially whether the chosen software is reliable and whether it follows the rules of TCPA.  Privacy controls should, therefore, comprise features such as encryption of the call data and restriction of access that may allow other parties to intrude on the same. 

VI. Maintenance and customer support 

Technical support and customer care are important for the operation of open-source PBX software. Maintenance entails updating, and Security where the system is updated with new adjustments and security enlargements are made to maintain its steady and sound status. Also, your chosen software needs great maintenance where the issues do not arise from time to time and provide 24/7 customer support. 

Comparison of Top Free Open Source PBX Software

PBX open source Software  Key features  Ideal for Rating 
CallHippo 
  • Call transfer 
  • Call forwarding 
  • IVR system
Small and large business 4.3/5
Asterisk 
  • Call routing 
  • Text to speech 
  • voicemail
Call centers and large business 4.6/5
Elastix 
  • Call recording 
  • Multiple trunk support 
  • Web conferencing 
A business that needs a scalable and flexible system 4.8/5
SIP foundry  A business that needs a feature-rich system  4.3/5
FreePBX
  • Caller ID
  • Web conferencing 
  • Call flow control 
Call centers, small businesses, and large business  4.4/5
Freeswitch 
  • Dialplan 
  • Video conferencing 
  • PSTN interface 
A large business that needs a flexible system  4.4/5
3CX
  • CRM
  • Live chat 
  • Unified communication 
Specially suitable for large size business  4.4/5
Kamailio 
  • SIP registrar
  • Proxy and redirect server
  • Voice mailbox
Suitable for large size business  4.5/5
Open SIPs
  • Call recording 
  • SMS gateway 
  • Modular design
Call centers and small business  4.6/5
Phonexa 
  • Call tracking 
  • Email and SMS marketing 
  • Lead management 
Suited for large size business and call center 4.9/5
DialerHQ
  • Call conferencing 
  • Call transfer 
  • IVR system 
Small size business, medium size business, and large business  4.5/5

11 Best Free PBX Open-Source Software

1. CallHippo 

CallHippo is PBX software suited for small and medium-sized businesses. It is a simple and powerful tool that enables unified communication, allows your staff to handle phone calls and messages, and provides the flexibility to manage calls from different users, locations, and organizational departments. CallHippo has an intuitive UI and is user-friendly, so employees who do not have technical expertise can access the system. 

Top Features

  • Multi-level auto attendant 
  • Call conference
  • Voicemail transcription 
  • Call barging 
  • Custom greetings 
  • Call recording 
  • Call transfer 
  • IVR system

Pros 

  • It is easy to setup 
  • It offers 24/7 customer support so that users can rely. 
  • It is available on iOS and Android platforms. 
  • Advanced features.

Cons 

  • No timely update

2. Asterisk 

Asterisk is a popular open-source PBX software and is used by many businesses worldwide. It can be used to manage and route phone calls with an organization offering various features such as Voicemail, IVR, and call queuing. The biggest advantage of Asterisk over other software PBX free is its myriad of features, which is continuously expanding. The asterisk platform can transform your computer system into an advanced communication PBX server. 

Top Features 

  • Call recording 
  • Call routing 
  • Caller ID
  • Call forwarding 
  • Auto attendant 

Pros 

  • It provides detailed call logs and records 
  • It offers several third-party integrations, apps, and tools. 
  • You can use it for business purposes also and for personal use. 
  • It is scalable, flexible, and customizable. 

Cons 

  • You need the Linux expertise to operate it. 
  • Complex interface

3. Elastix

Elastix is a high-performance open-source PBX software that can create an effective, scalable, and secure telephony system. It includes email, calling, teleconference, fax, and instant messaging among the team members. It is based on the CentOS distribution, which is a type of Linux operating system that makes it compatible with more similar systems. It also has a call center module and an intelligent dialer feature that helps streamline the reach of outbound calls and marketing campaigns. 

Top Features 

  • Click2call function
  • Centralized phone book 
  • Conference center with virtual rooms
  • SIP and IAX support 
  • Caller ID 
  • Call parking and recording 

Pros 

  • Feature-rich 
  • It offers third-party integrations and supports CRM tools 
  • You can use it on Windows and Linux 

Cons 

  • Customer support is not up to date. 
  • Complex configuration 
  • Expensive setup 

4. SIPfoundry 

SIPFoundry is another free and open-source PBX software that offers robust communications features, including video, chat, and voice functionalities. Using SIPfoundry, you can create a communication system for your entire business. You can download and customize the SIPfoundry system to meet your business needs. Whether you wish to set up an IP phone system with basic calling functionality or full-suite communication, suite SIPfoundry gives you the power to do so with no hassle or issues.  

Top Features 

  • Contact center server or Automatic Call Distributor(ACD) 
  • Management and configuration server 
  • Advanced call routing 
  • SIP phone number 
  • Video conferencing 

Pros 

  • Flexible configuration 
  • Real-time reporting 
  • It is a secure platform on which users can rely. 
  • It can help set up multiple calls in a single phone line. 

Cons 

  • Installation is complex and may require technical expertise. 
  • Limited customization. 

5. FreePBX

The FreePBX software is open-source software that offers comprehensive PBX tools that manage the asterisk open-source communication server. This open-source software provides a web-based GUI that enables users to deploy and run an asterisk-powered PBX conveniently with minimal to zero hassles. Businesses can scale the features and functionalities of the software and customize it to meet their needs. 

Top Features 

  • Call recording and reports 
  • Caller ID 
  • Voicemail notification 
  • Unlimited number extensions 
  • Call flow control 
  • Instant messaging 

Pros 

  • Customization 
  • Secure and reliable 
  • Scalable and flexible 
  • It is easy to use and access 
  • It offers basic and advanced training courses and programs. 

Cons 

  • It does not provide click-to-call functionality. 
  • Advanced features require additional cost.
  • Complex installation 

6. Freeswitch 

Freeswitch is an open-source PBX software that allows you to route and switch multiple audio, video, and data channels simultaneously. Its modularity and extensible architecture nature enable developers to customize features based on their requirements. 

Top Features 

  • Call recording 
  • Call transfer 
  • Speech synthesis 
  • Clustering 
  • Event socket library 
  • Dialplan 

Pros 

  • Advanced IVR 
  • Multi-tenant support 
  • Clustering capabilities 
  • It is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind 
  • It supports SIP compliance across all modules 

Cons 

  • It lacks in-built redundancy 
  • It has a complex configuration

7. 3CX

3CX is an open-source phone system that can significantly reduce the communication cost of business. It has click-to-call functionality to add to a webpage or mobile app, making it easy for customers to reach out to you. It can run on Windows, Linux, and Raspberry PI. It also provides several training materials and resources so you can show references. 

Top Features 

  • Video communication 
  • Call management 
  • Live web chat
  • Instant messaging 
  • Auto attendant 

Pros 

  • It is compatible with mobile apps and web browsers. 
  • It is integrated with CRM and other tools like Microsoft Teams, Office 365, Hubspot, etc. 
  • Configuration flexibility 
  • Customization options

Cons 

  • No native G Suite integration 
  • Limited capabilities of reporting, call handling, and call center features 

8. Kamailio 

Kamailio is one of the popular PBX software solutions and emphasizes data security. It is an open-source SIP server that executes phone calls over the Internet. It is used to build massive communication solutions in real-time and provides typical elements such as presence, webRTC, and instant messaging. It supports all major telecom operators worldwide and has its API, which enables integration with other applications. 

Top Features 

  • Call control 
  • SIP trunking 
  • Voicemail to email 
  • VoLTE and IMS extensions
  • Instant messaging 

Pros 

  • Scalability 
  • Ease of extensibility, i.e., you can extend the functionality easily by using the plug-and-play module. 
  • It can be deployed on-premise as well as on cloud infrastructure. 
  • Support for  VoIP gateways and webRTC applications. 

Cons 

  • You cannot modify it according to your needs. 
  • Limited support for advanced features.

9. Open SIPs

Open SIPs is open-source PBX software that helps businesses build a unified communication system. It offers crucial stats and metrics related to configuration and has advanced call management features. It can be integrated with other components, such as recorders, media servers, and billing systems, leveraging Asterisk PBX to offer the missing functionalities. 

Top Features

  • Voicemail 
  • Call forwarding and recording 
  • Automatic call distributor(ACD) 
  •  IP blacklist 
  • Stateless and transactional stateful SIP proxy processing 

Pros 

  • Scalability 
  • Least cost routing 
  • Tutorials for new users
  • It offers easy access to scale and customize. 

Cons 

  • Limited features compared to other PBX software. 
  • Steep learning curve 

10. Phonexa 

Phonexa is an enterprise-grade tracking software with PBX software for great performance. It offers high-quality cloud-based communication tools to help businesses track and improve their phone calls. By leveraging Phonexa,  you can record and analyze calls and score agent performance to track their performance. It provides flexible solutions for multiple industries, including home service, financial service, healthcare, and insurance, at an affordable price range. 

Top Features 

  • Predictive dialer 
  • Video conferencing 
  • Automated multi-message campaign 
  • Dynamic number insertion 
  • Free Demo 

Pros 

  • It offers ready-made reporting templates that can be customized as you need. 
  • Fax integration 
  • Seamless integration 
  • Centralized database and IP phone book

Cons 

  • Complex for small business 
  • Limited customizable options 

11. DialerHQ

DialerHQ is virtual PBX software for small and medium-sized businesses. It does not require hardware installation and is highly scalable. Furthermore, it’s easy to use without technical support. 

Top Features 

  • Call forwarding 
  • Automatic call distribution(ACD) 
  • Power dialer 
  • Video conferencing 
  • Auto attendants 
  • IVR 

Pros 

  • It is easy to use and has an intuitive interface 
  • Accessible on mobiles and desktops 
  • It offers a free trial 

Cons 

  • Update is required

How to choose the right PBX open-source software for your needs?

Choosing the right open-source PBX software for your business depends on several remarkable characteristics and functionalities of the service provider, which can define its sustainability and suitability for your business. It is worth looking for the software’s scalability and flexibility. It should be able to handle enough calls during peak hours and scale your business software according to needs. 

Another important area is the capability to customize the dial plan and the availability of flexible APIs to integrate with existing systems. Another special field for you to look for is security and compliance. Ensure that the PBX solution offers some of the compliance-relevant requirements, including recording calls and handling sensitive data securely. 

Technical support is also an important element. Select the PBX with an active and reliable community and third-party vendors and advisers offering services for the product. Ease of access to training materials and onboard assistance will also help to ease the adoption of the model. 

Also, it is necessary to check if the certain PBX has an integration with the corresponding hardware manufacturers or the cloud platforms, as this greatly simplifies the process of integration and troubleshooting.  

Lastly, estimate likely expenses related to the shift from your current platform and how modular the new PBX is expected to be in terms of technological advancement. By considering these factors, you are in a position to opt for a PBX solution that gives you high performance, mobility, and long-term worth to your business. 

Conclusion

Selecting the best PBX open-source software is crucial for your business to thrive and foster growth in the future. Every mentioned software offers a great service for your business. In contrast, you need to look for the features that your business is seeking at the moment. 

Open-source PBX systems are flexible in that they can be adjusted to fit a business’s needs perfectly. However, they also require a certain level of skill and time to keep them running at peak proficiency and protection. 

Using the given criteria, evaluating the pros and cons of each software, and considering its requirements, you can come up with the best PBX option for the organization. The usage of these free, open-source tools will result in enhanced communication effectiveness and substantial cost reduction, which are the basis of successful business organization and development. 

FAQs

What is PBX open-source software?

Open-source PBX software offers customizable, community-supported phone systems for businesses to manage and optimize internal and external communications. 

How many types of open sources PBX are available?

There are four main types of open-sources PBX, 

  • Traditional PBX system 
  • Traditional IP PBX
  • Cloud-based voice solutions 
  • Hybrid solutions 

Which is the best PBX software?

PBX software comes with a variety of features and pricing. Thus, it depends on your business needs and requirements and which is best suited for you. 

What are the benefits of having open-source software?

You can take a lot of benefits from open-source software, 

  • Free to use 
  • Integration capabilities 
  • Community support 
  • Works with SIP 

Prasanta Raut

Prasanta is the founder and visionary CEO of Dialaxy. He is on a mission to redefine the landscape of SaaS solutions, infusing creativity and ingenuity into every aspect of Dialaxy’s offerings. His fervent dedication to simplifying sales and support processes drives Dialaxy’s forward momentum, delivering unparalleled value to businesses of all sizes. Embark on a transformative journey with Prasanta and Dialaxy as they pave the way for a new era of sales and support excellence.

Prasanta is the founder and visionary CEO of Dialaxy. He is on a mission to redefine the landscape of SaaS solutions, infusing creativity and ingenuity into every aspect of Dialaxy’s offerings. His fervent dedication to simplifying sales and support processes drives Dialaxy’s forward momentum, delivering unparalleled value to businesses of all sizes. Embark on a transformative journey with Prasanta and Dialaxy as they pave the way for a new era of sales and support excellence.