In short
3CX is free to try for a business: 3CX offers a free edition for up to 10 users and free trials of 3CX PRO and of a system hosted by 3CX. Forever Systems, a 3CX Partner, can set up your free 3CX system with you and support your move to a paid edition.
Want help trying 3CX free?
Tell us how many users and sites you have and we will come back to you with the best way to start.
Is 3CX free for a business?
3CX can be used free in two ways. There is a free edition for small teams of up to 10 users, and there are free trials of the paid editions for larger organisations. The free edition covers core telephony on the 3CX apps, and the trials run a paid edition, so your team makes and takes real calls on your own call flows.
Try 3CX free (opens in a new tab) through our 3CX Partner link. We can set the system up with you, and when you are ready we support the move to a paid edition: contact us and tell us you have started.
Three ways to try 3CX free
| Option | What it is | A good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| 3CX Basic (Free) | The free edition for up to 10 users, self-hosted on your own server or cloud account. Apps only: desk phones need a trial or a paid edition | A very small team that wants core telephony on the 3CX apps |
| 3CX PRO trial | A free trial of the PRO edition, installed on-premise or self-hosted in a cloud account. 3CX lists it for 10 or more users and as supporting desk phones | Teams that want to test queues, reporting and integrations |
| Hosted by 3CX trial | A free trial on a dedicated 3CX system that 3CX installs and manages. 3CX lists it for 10 or more users and as supporting desk phones | Organisations that want 3CX in the cloud from the first day |
For the two trials 3CX asks for a business email address and a phone number to verify. 3CX also offers SMB Free, a free edition hosted by 3CX for small offices of up to 10 users. Tell us about your team and we will recommend where to start.
Source (checked 11 November 2026): 3CX's "Try 3CX Free" and small business pages.
Not sure which free 3CX option fits? Ask us
Tell us about your team and we will recommend where to start.
What the free 3CX phone system includes
3CX lists these in its free self-hosted edition:
- Apps for every user: the web client and the Windows, iOS and Android apps
- An auto attendant and multi-level menus to route callers
- Ring groups, call parking and call pickup
- Intercom and paging
- Call logging and basic call reports
- Website live chat and SMS
- User sync with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
- Your choice of SIP trunk for numbers and outside calls
The free edition is used with the 3CX apps only, and CRM and API integrations are part of the paid editions. The PRO trial adds the PRO edition's call queues, CRM and Microsoft 365 integration and advanced reporting; 3CX editions compares the paid editions feature by feature.
Source (checked 11 November 2026): 3CX's Free Basic edition page.
How we help you try 3CX
- Choose the starting point. We recommend the free edition or a trial from your users, sites and call flows.
- Set it up. We can build the extensions, menus, ring groups and office hours with you, so the free system answers calls the way your business does.
- Connect it. A SIP trunk and a number for test calls, and a check of your network against our VoIP requirements.
- Use it. Your team makes and takes calls in the 3CX apps.
- Move to a paid edition. We size the edition and simultaneous calls from what you learned, and quote the licence, hosting and set-up together.
Ready to move from free 3CX to a paid edition?
We will size the edition and simultaneous calls from how your team used the free system.
Moving from free 3CX to a paid edition
3CX says a system on its free edition can be upgraded to the Basic, PRO or AI edition at any time, so the work you put into call flows and users carries forward. The paid editions are licensed per system each year, sized by simultaneous calls rather than by users.
We support the move: we recommend the edition and size, arrange hosted 3CX as a managed service, port your numbers and show your team the apps. 3CX pricing explains what a quote is made of.
Source (checked 11 November 2026): 3CX's Free Basic edition and licensing pages.
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
Is 3CX free?
3CX has a free edition for up to 10 users and free trials of its paid editions. The paid editions, Basic, PRO and AI, use one annual licence per system, set by edition and simultaneous calls.
Is the 3CX phone system free for business use?
Yes, a very small team can run 3CX's free edition for up to 10 users, with the 3CX apps, menus, ring groups and basic call reports. Larger teams can start with a free trial of 3CX PRO or of a system hosted by 3CX.
How do I get a 3CX free trial?
Start through our 3CX Partner link on this page, then contact us. Forever Systems, a 3CX Partner, can set the system up with you and support your move to a paid edition.
Can I upgrade from free 3CX to a paid edition?
Yes. 3CX says systems on the free edition can be upgraded to the Basic, PRO or AI edition at any time. We size the edition and simultaneous calls with you and quote the licence, hosting and set-up together.
What do I need to try 3CX free?
A device for each user to run the 3CX apps, and a SIP trunk with a number for outside calls. The free edition is apps only; desk phones need a trial or a paid edition. For the trials of PRO and Hosted by 3CX, 3CX asks for a business email address and a phone number to verify.
Is hosting included in a 3CX trial?
3CX says Hosted by 3CX is free for the duration of the product trial. On a paid edition, hosting is a separate annual charge based on the system size, and we can arrange and manage it for you.
Still deciding?
Ask us and a member of our team will get back to you.