3CX vs. Cisco IP Phones

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
3CX
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
Cyprus based company 3CX offers an IP PBX phone system.
$1.08
per user/per month
Cisco IP Phones
Score 6.9 out of 10
N/A
Cisco began developing voice over IP (VoIP) communications and collaboration solutions in 1997. Currently, Cisco states they have more than 100,000 unified communications customers worldwide. The modern Cisco IP Phone portfolio includes VoIP and HD video phones designed to meet the needs of organizations.N/A
Pricing
3CXCisco IP Phones
Editions & Modules
Pro
$1.08
per user/per month
Enterprise
$1.31
per user/per month
Standard
Free
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
3CXCisco IP Phones
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional DetailsPrice displayed is based on 25 users. 3CX pricing is based on the number of simultaneous calls your business requires or in other words, how many calls your system needs to support at once. Unlike other PBX vendors there is no per extension cost.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
3CXCisco IP Phones
Best Alternatives
3CXCisco IP Phones
Small Businesses
Sangoma Asterisk
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Score 8.0 out of 10
Lifesize Video Conferencing
Lifesize Video Conferencing
Score 10.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Sangoma Asterisk
Sangoma Asterisk
Score 8.0 out of 10
Cisco Headsets
Cisco Headsets
Score 9.1 out of 10
Enterprises
Sangoma Asterisk
Sangoma Asterisk
Score 8.0 out of 10
Cisco Headsets
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Score 9.1 out of 10
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User Ratings
3CXCisco IP Phones
Likelihood to Recommend
7.4
(0 ratings)
8.6
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.5
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
5.4
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
3CXCisco IP Phones
Likelihood to Recommend
The 3CX system is a well-thought out phone system with many features and options. The plan pricing is very affordable and flexible depending on your business needs. However, the key to having a solid, well-performing system with 3CX is the quality of your Internet connection. You may want to discuss your Internet connection type and speeds with a 3CX reseller before deciding on a 3CX system.
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Cisco IP Phones work incredibly well in almost any business environment. The wide variety of offerings from Cisco really can cover almost any business scenario. The physical deskphone, such as this 8800, works particularly well in office settings, or in a small home office setup (like mine). The configuration of these Cisco IP Phones can be the difficult part, but it is never an impossible task. These 8800 series Cisco IP Phones are likely a bit too nice to be used in dirty or industrial environments, where you would probably benefit from a more rugged and purpose-built phone. These might also be a bit expensive and have a few too many features for a common area "service" phone, such as waiting rooms, foyer locations, or something similar. Instead, there are lower-end models that would likely fit that need better.
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Pros
  • The 3CX Phone System has a really nice auto-provision feature that works with plug and play phones, so then all that's needed is for each to have an extension assigned to them.
  • The 3CX Phone System web portal is exceptional. I love how I can keep it open during the day and quickly see who is busy on the phone and which lines are available. I can also call quickly by a simple click of the mouse.
  • The app that accompanies this allows me to provision my cellphone via the app to my classroom extension so that if I am out of my classroom and someone calls my phone, it also rings on my cell phone. I can also call via the app and it appears as if I am calling from my classroom extension.
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  • The speaker is pretty good and almost as clear as the 7800 and 8800 series phones.
  • It is about the same as a 7841 in almost every aspect, except it has no POE, but the power adapter is included. It also doesn't have as sleek of a look, and the screen is quite low in resolution.
  • It delivers reliable, business-grade audio(opens in a new tab) in an energy-efficient package that will appeal to many organizations. Specifically designed for companies with “moderate to active VoIP needs.
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Cons
  • I would like to be able to see direct-dial numbers on the handsets. Currently that is not possible but that would be a nice feature.
  • You need an SBC per location, which can be a point of failure.
  • You also need a server that might get disconnected, which is another point of failure.
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  • I guess it'll be like trying to use headsets for those critical phone models. The product obviously makes it a bit difficult because you can have certain types of adapters, so making a universal adapter that could go with other headsets would be easier.
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Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
i think it's profitable and a good return on investment as a person who make an architecture based on VOIP with IP phones i really enjoyed the process of configuration of the router , the switch and everything and then when i had to test the communication between two phones I've configured it was a joy. Also it's a good phone to receive and give calls to our clients.
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Usability
No answers on this topic
Easy to use Functions are self-explanatory Light Efficient I generally have no complaints about them as they get the job done. Just a few employments on maybe graphics or so otherwise they are really great 👍 no complaints... Maybe it is just because is just a user and doesn't implement them or something.
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Support Rating
I didn't have to use support personally but I have talked to the administrators of the system and they confirm that any issue is dealt with quickly. As we haven't had big issues I can't talk about priority 1 incidents which require immediate attention, but normal issues are answered fairly quickly and accurately.
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Cisco IP Phones support have met our business time to resolution, leading us to very low downtime, and allowed us to interact with our customers quicker and better and provide us with an adequate ROI. Cisco support has been within established SLA and the quality of support has been high leading to a high % of first touch resolutions.
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Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
It's complex to set up but with the help of New Era we were able to do it quickly and efficiently
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Alternatives Considered
We had offers from a local company to do VoIP and we were looking at cisco even Microsoft for our solution, but in the end, we wanted control over our phone system not a service with good support, yet at the same time we didn't want to pay a lot of money for solutions like Cisco.
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We have switched straight to Cisco IP Phones without any other considerations. We wanted our phones managed correctly with a reliable solution and this is where we landed. We did not need to check with other vendors or solutions to make this solution. We love what we have now, and we do not have any plans to change anytime soon.
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Return on Investment
  • Much lower cost than other PBX options: Our company paid nearly 1/5 the cost of purchasing a hardware-based PBX when we instead switched to 3CX. In either case we would have had to replace all phone hardware, but with 3CX we saved a ton of money on licensing and server hardware.
  • Many locations, one phone system: We were able to tie all of our locations into a single 3CX phone system. This means each location is an extension, allowing call transferring, increased flexibility in auto attendant, and simpler numbers to remember.
  • Elimination of carrier service: With 3CX we were able to replace carrier service at many separate locations with SIP service. This reduced each locations' phone bill from $50 per month to $5 per month.
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  • I set up the desk for new hires in our group - it is super easy to plug in this phone and have them up and running.
  • Having the ability to pre-program speed dial numbers ensures that new hires are able to reach help without having to search for a number.
  • The ability to program ring tones is great, so if we are in the shared space meeting and we hear a phone ring, we know who's phone is ringing - the meeting can go on without everyone leaving to check.
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ScreenShots

3CX Screenshots

Screenshot of Video ConferencingScreenshot of Advanced Contact Center ReportingScreenshot of Management DashboardScreenshot of Live ChatScreenshot of 3CX AppScreenshot of See the Status of Your Colleagues

Cisco IP Phones Screenshots

Screenshot of Cisco IP Phone 8865 with One KEM, CharcoalScreenshot of Screenshot of Cisco IP Phone 8800 Series Desk Family, charcoalScreenshot of Cisco IP Phone 8800 Series Desk Family, whiteScreenshot of Cisco IP Phone 8865 with IP 8800 Key Expansion Module, whiteScreenshot of Cisco IP Phone 8865 with IP 8800 Key Expansion Module, white