In short
A 3CX licence comes in four editions: SMB Free, Basic, PRO and AI. Basic covers core telephony. PRO adds call queues, recording, CRM and Microsoft 365 integration. AI adds AI Agents and call transcription, plus failover and the Teams integration from 16 simultaneous calls. Forever Systems, a 3CX Partner, can quote the paid editions.
Get a quote for a 3CX licence
Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will come back to you with options and a quote.
How a 3CX licence works
Each commercial 3CX licence is annual and covers one 3CX system. Two choices define it: the edition, which sets the features, and the simultaneous-call (SC) size, which sets capacity. Commercial editions start at 8 SC, and some features are reserved for systems of 16 SC and above.
This page compares the editions. 3CX pricing explains sizing and what drives the cost.
The four 3CX editions
- SMB Free: for small offices of up to 10 users, hosted by 3CX, with apps, call handling, live chat and messaging.
- Basic: dependable calling, routing, apps and essential reporting, with user sync and single sign-on from Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. No call queues, CRM integration or AI features.
- PRO: for customer-facing teams. Adds call queues and contact centre tools, CRM and full Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integration, queue reporting, AI voicemail transcription, hot desking and links between offices.
- AI: the complete feature set. Adds AI Agents, full call transcription with summaries and sentiment, skill-based routing and, from 16 SC, failover and the Microsoft Teams Direct Routing integration.
3CX licence comparison table
This table summarises 3CX's published feature list, last updated by 3CX on 28 August 2026. Features change between releases, so we confirm the current list when we quote.
| Feature | Basic | PRO | AI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web client, Windows, iOS and Android apps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto attendant, multi-level IVR and ring groups | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Your choice of SIP trunk | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Basic call reports | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Call queues and callback | No | Yes | Yes |
| Call recording | No | Yes | Yes |
| Switchboard, wallboard, listen, whisper and barge | No | Yes | Yes |
| Queue reports | No | Yes | Yes |
| WhatsApp and Facebook messaging | No | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace | User sync and sign-in only | Full integration | Full integration |
| CRM integration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Call Flow Designer and hot desking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Connect remote offices (bridges) | No | Yes | Yes |
| AI voicemail transcription | No | Yes | Yes |
| Call transcription, summaries and sentiment | No | No | Yes |
| AI Agents | No | No | Yes |
| Skill-based routing and start/stop recording rights | No | No | Yes |
| Inbuilt failover and standby licence (16 SC and above) | No | No | Yes |
| Microsoft Teams Direct Routing integration (16 SC and above) | No | No | Yes |
Source (checked 11 November 2026): 3CX's full feature list.
Not sure which edition fits? Ask us
We will match the right edition to your requirements and quote for it.
3CX licence extension limits
A 3CX licence is sized by simultaneous calls, but it also carries user limits. For every SC size 3CX publishes a recommended range of users or extensions and a maximum; the maximum is a hard limit for that size. An idle extension uses no call capacity, yet it still counts towards the limit. So the right licence fits two things: your peak calls and your number of extensions.
Which 3CX licence fits?
| If you need | Look at |
|---|---|
| Reliable calling for an office, school or site with ring groups | Basic |
| Reception or sales queues, wallboards, recording and CRM screen pops | PRO |
| Several offices joined into one system | PRO or AI |
| AI call answering, transcription, sentiment analysis or failover | AI |
| Teams users calling through 3CX | AI at 16 SC or above |
For most organisations the real decision is between Basic and PRO. Without queues you rely on ring groups, which ring several people but do not hold callers in order or report on waiting times. If a team answers calls together, PRO is the starting point; VoIP call centre solutions explains why.
Want the right 3CX edition and size worked out?
Tell us what you have today and we will recommend the right set-up, with a quote.
Changing your 3CX licence later
3CX lets you move to a more capable edition or a larger size as needs change, and the best time to review is before renewal. Ask us for a quote for the edition and size you need and we will set out the licence, hosting, SIP trunk and set-up separately.
Try 3CX free
A free 3CX system shows what an edition gives your team in practice. 3CX has a free edition for up to 10 users and a free trial of PRO. Try 3CX free (opens in a new tab) through our 3CX Partner link; 3CX free for business explains the options.
We can set it up with you and support your move to a paid edition when you are ready: contact us.
How Forever Systems helps with a VoIP phone system
We supply, host, set up and support 3CX phone systems. Forever Systems is a 3CX Partner.
- 3CX sized for you: the edition and the number of simultaneous calls matched to how your team takes calls
- Hosting and set-up: 3CX hosted for you, with call flows, users, queues and voicemail configured
- A requirements check of your broadband, network and router settings before anything goes live
- Numbers and porting: we can help you keep your existing business numbers and plan the move away from analogue and ISDN lines
- Changes afterwards: help with moves, adds and changes as your team grows
3CX works with the 3CX apps and with Yealink and Poly desk phones. We work with businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 3CX license editions?
3CX offers SMB Free, Basic, PRO and AI. SMB Free is for up to 10 users and is hosted by 3CX. Basic, PRO and AI are commercial editions sold as an annual system licence, sized by simultaneous calls.
What is the difference between 3CX Basic and PRO?
PRO adds call queues and callback, call recording, switchboard and wallboard, CRM integration, full Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integration, the Call Flow Designer, links between offices and AI voicemail transcription. Basic keeps core telephony, routing, apps and basic reports.
Does a 3CX licence limit extensions?
Yes. Each simultaneous-call size has a recommended range and a maximum number of users or extensions. The maximum is a hard limit for that licence size.
Which 3CX licence includes call recording?
3CX's feature list shows call recording on SMB Free, PRO and AI, and not on Basic. The AI edition adds start and stop recording rights and call transcription.
Which 3CX edition includes the Microsoft Teams integration?
3CX's documentation says the Microsoft Teams Direct Routing integration is offered on the AI edition at 16 simultaneous calls and above.
What happened to 3CX Enterprise?
3CX's current editions are SMB Free, Basic, PRO and AI, and AI is the top tier. If you are renewing an older licence, ask us for a quote and we will map it to the current edition and size.
Still have a question about 3CX licence?
Ask us and a member of our team will get back to you.