Choosing the right phone system for your business can be challenging, especially with a variety of robust options like 3CX and RingCentral. Both systems offer distinct advantages, but which one suits your needs best depends on specific factors like features, costs, ease of use, and scalability. This full comparison of 3CX vs RingCentral explores all the key elements, helping you make an informed decision.
3CX vs RingCentral
| Category | 3CX | RingCentral |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment Options | On-premises or cloud-hosted | Cloud-based only |
| Core Calling Features | IVR, call routing, call queues, voicemail, call recording | IVR, call routing, call queues, voicemail transcription, call recording |
| Unified Communications | Limited – voice, basic video, and messaging; best suited for voice-focused setups | Comprehensive – voice, HD video conferencing, messaging, and team collaboration |
| Integrations | Supports CRM integrations (e.g., Salesforce, Office 365, HubSpot), open API for custom integrations | Extensive pre-built integrations (e.g., Salesforce, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace) |
| Mobile and Remote Access | Mobile apps for iOS, Android, and desktop; basic functionality | Robust mobile and desktop apps, full functionality across devices |
| Video Conferencing | Limited video capability for smaller meetings | HD video conferencing for up to 200 participants on higher tiers |
| Control Over SIP Provider | Customisable – allows businesses to choose their own SIP provider for cost flexibility | Limited – uses RingCentral’s own SIP trunking, not customisable |
| Pricing Tiers | – Standard (Free) – Basic plan with core VoIP functions – Pro: From £135/year (4 calls) – Adds advanced call centre features, CRM integration, reporting – Enterprise: From £275/year (4 calls) – Adds skill-based routing, real-time switchboard | – Essentials: £7.99/user/month – Basic calling and messaging in the UK – Standard: £14.99/user/month – Adds video meetings and integrations – Premium: £19.99/user/month – Advanced analytics and more integrations – Ultimate: £24.99/user/month – Advanced reporting and device status alerts |
| Scalability | Flexible – scales with business needs; on-premises or cloud deployment options available | Highly scalable with minimal maintenance required due to cloud infrastructure |
| Reliability | Depends on chosen hosting provider and SIP setup; requires IT resources | Robust uptime due to managed cloud hosting; minimal downtime |
| Customer Support | Add-on support plans available; setup and maintenance generally require in-house IT resources | 24/7 support on most plans; fully managed with RingCentral handling updates and maintenance |
| Ideal For | Businesses with in-house IT resources, seeking customisation and cost-effective SIP provider options | Businesses prioritising ease of use, unified communications, collaboration tools, and minimal technical setup |
| Pros | – Flexible deployment (on-premises/cloud) – Cost-effective long-term setup for technically capable teams – Choice of SIP providers for flexibility | – Comprehensive unified communications suite – High-quality mobile and desktop experience – Extensive integrations with business productivity tools |
| Cons | – Limited collaboration tools – Basic video features | – Higher subscription costs, especially for higher tiers – Lack of SIP customisation |
Overview of 3CX vs RingCentral
3CX is a software-based IP PBX system that can be deployed on-premises or hosted in the cloud, making it flexible for businesses with specific preferences on where their data resides. Known for its cost-effectiveness and control over customisation, 3CX allows businesses to use their own hardware and SIP trunks, potentially lowering ongoing expenses.
RingCentral, a cloud-based unified communications platform, offers an all-in-one solution with voice, video, messaging, and team collaboration. It’s particularly popular among businesses seeking a streamlined experience with minimal maintenance. With RingCentral, businesses receive fully managed services with regular updates and advanced features.
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Features comparison
Both 3CX and RingCentral offer comprehensive features, but they differ slightly in their approach and specialisations.
Core calling features
- 3CX: Provides standard VoIP features such as call routing, call queues, IVR, voicemail, and call recording. As a self-hosted or cloud-hosted option, 3CX allows full control over call management, and businesses can integrate with various SIP providers, allowing for customisation.
- RingCentral: Offers similar calling features, including IVR, call queuing, voicemail transcription, and call recording. RingCentral provides an intuitive interface with ready-to-use features out-of-the-box, suitable for businesses looking to get up and running quickly.
Unified communications
- 3CX: Although 3CX integrates with video and chat, these are basic compared to some competitors. The video capabilities are limited but may be sufficient for smaller meetings.
- RingCentral: Excels with its unified communications capabilities. RingCentral’s platform supports HD video conferencing, team messaging, and collaboration tools, making it more attractive for businesses focused on team integration and virtual meetings.
Integrations
- 3CX: Offers a range of integrations, including CRM systems like Salesforce, Office 365, and HubSpot. Additionally, it supports open APIs, allowing businesses with developer resources to build custom integrations.
- RingCentral: Has a broader array of pre-built integrations with popular business tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace. This advantage makes it ideal for businesses with diverse workflows or those using multiple productivity tools.
Mobile and remote access
- 3CX: Provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as a desktop app, which enables employees to make and receive calls from any location. However, the user experience and app functionality are more basic than RingCentral’s.
- RingCentral: Delivers a well-developed mobile app with a consistent experience across devices, supporting calls, video conferencing, and messaging. This is a clear benefit for businesses with remote or mobile teams.
Cost comparison – 3CX vs RingCentral
The cost structures for 3CX vs RingCentral are significantly different, reflecting their deployment and service models.
3CX pricing
3CX offers three main pricing tiers based on the number of simultaneous calls required:
- Standard (Free): A basic plan suitable for small teams that need core VoIP functions without advanced features.
- Pro: Adds advanced call centre features, CRM integrations, and reporting functionalities. Prices start around £135 per year for four simultaneous calls, with incremental increases for more users.
- Enterprise: Offers the most comprehensive feature set, including skill-based routing and a real-time switchboard for contact centres, starting at approximately £275 per year for four simultaneous calls.
Additionally, 3CX allows businesses to choose their SIP providers, which can reduce call costs but may incur additional setup fees and management time.
RingCentral pricing
RingCentral offers four main pricing tiers, each with monthly or annual billing options:
- Essentials: Starts at £7.99 per user/month, including unlimited calling in the UK and team messaging.
- Standard: Priced at £14.99 per user/month, it includes video meetings for up to 100 participants and integrations with productivity tools.
- Premium: Priced at £19.99 per user/month, adds more integrations (such as Salesforce) and advanced analytics.
- Ultimate: Starts at £24.99 per user/month, offering advanced reporting, device status alerts, and a higher level of support.
For RingCentral, pricing scales with the number of users, and some businesses may find the higher-tier options necessary for their needs.
Scalability and flexibility
- 3CX: Provides strong scalability, especially for businesses with IT resources to support an on-premises solution. The option to use existing hardware and customise SIP providers allows for flexibility and cost control.
- RingCentral: Scales easily due to its cloud-based infrastructure. RingCentral handles updates, security, and maintenance, which can be advantageous for businesses seeking a hands-off approach.
Reliability and customer support
- 3CX: Reliability is largely dependent on your chosen hosting provider and SIP trunk setup. 3CX offers support plans as an add-on, and the learning curve can be higher due to the level of customisation.
- RingCentral: Provides robust uptime and 24/7 support for most plans. Their cloud-hosted solution means minimal downtime, with all maintenance and security managed by RingCentral’s team.
Pros and cons summary
3CX
Pros:
- Flexible deployment options (on-premises or cloud-hosted)
- Customisation with various SIP providers
- Lower long-term costs for some setups
Cons:
- Requires IT resources for setup and maintenance
- Limited collaboration tools
- Basic video conferencing features
RingCentral
Pros:
- Comprehensive unified communications platform
- Excellent integration with popular tools
- Intuitive mobile app and user-friendly interface
Cons:
- Higher monthly subscription costs
- Fully cloud-based, with no on-premises option
- Limited SIP customisation compared to 3CX
Which is right for your business?
Choose 3CX if: You’re looking for a cost-effective solution with control over your setup. 3CX is ideal for businesses with in-house IT capabilities that can manage an on-premises or cloud-hosted phone system. Its flexibility to use custom SIP providers and deploy on existing infrastructure makes it suitable for cost-conscious organisations comfortable with some technical setup.
Choose RingCentral if: Your business values ease of use, full unified communications capabilities, and a fully managed solution. RingCentral is better for companies that need advanced collaboration tools and prioritise a seamless experience with minimal maintenance. It’s a great fit for businesses with remote teams or high demand for video conferencing and team messaging.
Conclusion – 3CX vs RingCentral
Both 3CX and RingCentral are powerful systems, each catering to different business needs.
3CX offers a flexible, customisable system for those with the resources to handle its setup, while RingCentral provides an all-in-one, cloud-based experience with strong collaboration tools.
Consider your business’s technical capabilities, budget, and communication needs to determine which platform aligns best with your goals.
FAQ – 3CX vs RingCentral comparison
RingCentral excels in video conferencing, supporting HD video calls with up to 200 participants on premium plans. 3CX has basic video capabilities, suitable for smaller meetings but lacks the advanced features RingCentral provides, making it less ideal for companies needing frequent, large-scale video collaboration.
3CX allows custom SIP provider integration, offering flexibility and potential cost savings. RingCentral, however, operates with its own SIP infrastructure, limiting customisation. For businesses that prefer choosing their SIP provider, 3CX provides better options than RingCentral’s all-in-one SIP solution.
RingCentral offers a broader selection of pre-built integrations, including Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace. 3CX supports integrations with CRM tools like Salesforce and HubSpot, but businesses seeking a wide variety of tools may find RingCentral more compatible.
RingCentral is designed for remote work, with seamless mobile and desktop apps, supporting calling, video, and messaging across devices. 3CX provides mobile apps as well, but the experience and functionality are more basic, making RingCentral a more versatile choice for mobile or hybrid teams.
3CX has a lower-cost structure, especially if deployed on-premises, with annual prices starting at £135. RingCentral’s monthly plans begin at £7.99 per user, increasing for advanced features. While 3CX can be more economical, RingCentral’s managed services and frequent updates justify the cost for some.
RingCentral includes 24/7 support with most plans, while 3CX offers add-on support plans that require an in-house IT team for setup. RingCentral’s fully managed approach, including maintenance and updates, makes it preferable for businesses that value easy access to support.
RingCentral is simpler to set up, offering an out-of-the-box cloud solution that minimises technical involvement. 3CX, especially for on-premises deployment, requires IT resources and setup knowledge, which may appeal to businesses seeking control but could be challenging for those needing quick, simple installation.
3CX allows hardware flexibility, letting businesses use existing infrastructure, reducing equipment costs. RingCentral, being a fully managed cloud service, operates independently of customer-owned hardware, simplifying management but limiting customisation. Businesses prioritising hardware control may prefer 3CX for this reason.
RingCentral provides strong reliability through managed cloud hosting, ensuring minimal downtime with regular updates. 3CX’s uptime depends on the business’s chosen hosting provider and configuration, making reliability variable. For businesses without dedicated IT support, RingCentral’s managed infrastructure may offer more consistent performance.
RingCentral is superior for unified communications, featuring comprehensive voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools. 3CX offers basic chat and video capabilities but is primarily focused on telephony. Businesses needing an integrated communication platform may find RingCentral’s features more aligned with their needs.