In short
3CX pricing is based on one annual fee per system, set by the edition (Basic, PRO or AI) and the number of simultaneous calls. Internal and external calls both count. Hosting, the SIP trunk, numbers and set-up are separate lines. Forever Systems, a 3CX Partner, can quote for 3CX in the UK.
Get a quote for 3CX
Ask us for a quote and we will come back to you with options priced for your organisation.
What a 3CX phone system price is made of
| Line on the quote | How it is charged | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| 3CX system (Basic, PRO or AI) | One annual fee per system | The edition and the simultaneous-call (SC) size |
| Hosting | A separate annual charge on commercial editions; included with SMB Free | The SC size and where the system runs |
| SIP trunk, numbers and calls | From the SIP trunk provider, separate from 3CX | Numbers kept or added, and call volumes |
| Set-up, porting and training | A project charge | Users, sites, queues and integrations |
| Third-party AI engines (optional) | Some AI features can use a cloud provider's engine with its own charges | Which AI features you switch on |
The 3CX apps are included for every user.
Not sure which edition fits? Ask us
We will match the right edition to your requirements and quote for it.
The two choices that set the 3CX cost
- The edition: Basic, PRO or AI, which sets the features. See 3CX editions.
- The SC size, which sets how many calls the system can carry at once. 3CX's sizes run from 8 SC to 1024 SC.
Edition plus SC size gives one annual fee for one 3CX system. Adding a new starter does not change it, as long as you stay within the limits of your size. The exception is SMB Free, which 3CX offers for small offices of up to 10 users with hosting included.
What counts as a simultaneous call
3CX's licensing page (opens in a new tab) defines a simultaneous call as any internal or external call taking place at the same time. Two colleagues talking extension to extension use capacity just as a call to a customer does, and so does a caller waiting in a queue.
An extension that is not on a call uses nothing. That is why 50 users do not need 50 licences: what matters is how many conversations are live at your busiest moment.
Source (checked 11 November 2026): 3CX's licensing page.
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Users, extensions and fair use
System-based pricing does not mean unlimited users. For each SC size 3CX publishes a recommended range of users or extensions and a maximum, and the maximum is a hard limit for that size. A busy team may need a larger size before it reaches the user maximum; a large organisation with light call use may be sized by its headcount instead. We check both.
A worked sizing example
An office has 50 staff, a reception team and a small sales team. Call logs show about 16 calls live at once at the busiest moment, counting callers in the queue and calls between colleagues. 3CX's own guidance uses the same kind of example.
- Count the peak: the highest number of calls live at the same moment, internal and external.
- Add what the logs miss: seasonal peaks, outbound campaigns, conference calls and growth.
- Choose the next size up: a 16 SC system would be full at peak, so 24 SC is the size to assess.
- Check the user limits for that size against 50 users and any shared extensions.
- Pick the edition: queues and wallboards point to PRO; transcription or AI call answering points to AI.
Renewals, upgrades and how we quote
The 3CX fee renews each year, and 3CX publishes a saving for renewals of three years or more on systems of 24 SC and above; hosting is charged separately. You can move up a size or an edition when your needs change.
A UK quote covers the 3CX licence, hosting, the SIP trunk, numbers and set-up, so ask us for a quote and we will show each part separately. For how this compares with business VoIP in general, see VoIP cost.
Try 3CX free
A free 3CX system lets your team test the fit before a licence is sized. 3CX has a free edition for up to 10 users and free trials of its paid editions. 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
How much does 3CX cost?
It depends on the edition, the simultaneous-call size, hosting, the SIP trunk and set-up. For the commercial editions, ask us for a quote and we will size it from your call data and show each part separately.
Is 3CX priced per user?
No. 3CX commercial editions use one annual fee per system, set by edition and simultaneous-call size. Each size has recommended and maximum user or extension limits.
Do internal calls count towards 3CX simultaneous calls?
Yes. 3CX counts internal and external calls taking place at the same time. An idle extension does not use any capacity.
What does a 3CX phone system cost in the UK?
A UK quote covers the annual 3CX licence, hosting, the SIP trunk, numbers and set-up. Ask us for a quote and we will size the system from your call data and set out each part.
Are phone numbers and call charges included in 3CX pricing?
No. 3CX does not bundle numbers or minutes. They come from the SIP trunk, and your existing numbers can normally be ported to it.
Can I change 3CX size or edition later?
Yes. 3CX lets you move to a larger size or a more capable edition as call volumes, users or feature needs grow. The best time to review is before renewal.
Still have a question about 3CX?
Ask us and a member of our team will get back to you.