Home > Business Phone Systems > Bandwidth > Bandwidth vs 3CX

Bandwidth vs 3CX

Last Updated: November 25th, 2024

Our analysts compared Bandwidth vs 3CX based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Business Phone Systems, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

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Product Basics

Bandwidth is a cloud-based API provider that enables two-way calling, text messaging and video conferencing for leading unified communications platforms. Deployable in the cloud, on-premise or as a hybrid, it enables enterprise-level call tracking and analytics. Leveraging its robust architecture, developers can create video and video conferencing apps through WebRTC technology. Businesses can automate existing processes and call flows through its support for a wide range of codecs including VP9, VP8 and H.264. Integrating with major toll-free carriers, it ensures carrier redundancy for uninterrupted business workflows.

It ensures call security through multi-factor authentication (MFA) and phone number verification. Besides enabling click-to-call for customers, it provides intelligent call routing through IVR and automated SMS surveys for sustained customer outreach. In addition to phone number management through a dashboard, it provides number porting of up to 20,000 numbers. Working in the background, it powers integrations with Zoom, LogMein, Google, RingCentral and Microsoft through its powerful APIs.

A global leader in business communications, 3CX is a phone system based on the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standard. Suitable for any business size, this solution helps improve productivity, enhance customer experience and enable increased mobility. It’s simple, cost-effective, flexible and can be hosted on a remote server.

The platform enables simultaneous calling, allowing customers to pay only for what they require. It offers extensive functionality, reliability and security. Integrating this software with other systems is easy and straightforward.

$0.01/Message, Usage-Based

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$15/User, Monthly

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Product Insights

Cost Efficiency: Bandwidth helps businesses save on communication costs by offering scalable solutions that adapt to their needs, eliminating the need for expensive traditional phone systems.
Flexibility: Users can manage calls, messages, and video conferences from anywhere, using any device, providing the flexibility needed in today's mobile and dynamic work environments.
Improved Customer Experience: Features like automated attendants, call routing, and analytics ensure that customer calls are handled efficiently, leading to improved satisfaction and loyalty.
Scalability: As businesses grow, Bandwidth easily scales to accommodate increased call volumes and additional features without requiring significant infrastructure changes.
Reliability: With robust infrastructure and redundancy protocols, Bandwidth ensures high availability and minimal downtime, so businesses stay connected with their customers and teams.
Enhanced Communication: Integrated voice, video, and messaging capabilities foster better collaboration among team members and more engaging interactions with customers.
Compliance and Security: Bandwidth adheres to industry standards and regulations, providing secure communication channels that protect sensitive information.
Insightful Analytics: Access to detailed call analytics helps businesses make informed decisions, optimize communication strategies, and improve overall efficiency.
Customization: The platform offers extensive customization options, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their specific operational needs and customer service goals.
Professional Image: Advanced features like custom greetings, on-hold music, and professional voicemail options enhance a company's image and customer perception.

Cost Effective: Decrease hardware, administration and maintenance costs. Pay lower costs for making calls to offices set up in other countries.
Unified Communication: Use additional features such as CRM, live chat, messaging and video conferencing. Access them all conveniently at one place.
Easy To Use: Eliminate training hassles and start using the software immediately without any learning curves.
Better Mobility: Allow employees to use extensions irrespective of location. Secure increased mobility by letting them carry the extensions wherever they go. Easily add and manage new lines.

Voice API: Build a custom voice calling solution for clients. Embed programmable voice directly into the application, network or product, without possessing a telecom infrastructure. Pay only for the time used and get access to pricing. Identify and address problems related to the quality and reliability of voice calls.
SMS API: Attain control, flexibility and insight and efficiently send messages to the tier 1 network. Get insights into which messages are getting delivered. Access real human support and eliminate the hassles attached to having a middleman.
MMS API: Send powerful and engaging text messages using images, videos, audio and GIFs even on toll-free and local numbers. Get charged the same price for an MMS irrespective of the number of characters.
Toll-Free SMS: Easily graduate from text messages to calls on the same number. Send high-volume messages using a single number, eliminating possible confusion amongst customers. Use it as an alternative to short code and connect with customers faster.
Group Messaging: Enable all the clients to be in the loop and quickly initiate group discussions without installing the app or possessing a smartphone. Connect to any network in the U.S. and Canada. Activate message-ready phone numbers.
Emergency Calling API: Provide accurate and reliable access to public safety without investing in expensive infrastructure. Connect users when required and automatically provide location information to the best-suited public safety agency.
Video API: Upgrade any web-based chat or call to video and create video applications powered by WebRTC. Enhance the customer engagement experience and facilitate personal interactions and connections. Use screen sharing and live video engagement. Access an easy-to-understand billing system, eliminating confusion. Attain Inbound and Outbound PSTN calling and support audio codecs, including VP9, VP8 and H.264.
Authentication API: Balance security with customized authentication messages and set a code expiration timeframe. Pay only for successful authentication. Safeguard brand equity by receiving one-time passcodes on existing numbers, eliminating the risk of sharing numbers with other businesses.
SIP Trunking: Enable high-quality calls using the cloud-based carrier network. Manage ports, order phone numbers and gain insights into telecom cost centers. Maintain compliance with 911 regulations. Access calling and billing details record (BDR). Get easy support from the 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC).
Duet: Enable companies to migrate their telecom to Teams-leverage dynamic location capabilities within Teams to identify the location. Route 911 calls across the secure and highly reliable network, ensuring user safety. Acquire advantages such as fail-over control, call forwarding and real-time re-routes.
VoIP Origination: Access a wide-ranging coverage with direct peering connections, facilitating quality calls. Enjoy a powerful phone number solution with number ordering, porting and management tools. Support required line features and instant 911 address provisioning.
VoIP Termination: Eliminate the hassle of jumping on and off PSTN, allowing a reliable calling experience. Employ the geo-redundant core network with priority Tier 1 peering relationships to achieve better quality calls and fewer hops. Enable interconnections using peering agreements with major carriers across the U.S., Canada and internationally, ensuring quicker, hassle-free calls.
SMS Gateway: Remain up-to-date and well-versed with current messaging rules and regulations with the help of experts. Send an SMS to customers who only provide a phone number and without the aid of a cell phone. Ensure reliable delivery and connections to all major carriers.
Phone Number Lookup API: Attain knowledge regarding the carrier mix before sending messages, enabling the prediction of costs and message and deliverability rates. Quickly sort phone numbers, ensuring that messages are sent only to those numbers that can receive them. Use the correct type of multi-factor authentication.
Local Phone Numbers: Carry out business more innovatively by giving customers a personal and local touch. Add brand personality, context and privacy along with number ordering and provisioning. Assure customers that they can secure better help and understanding by talking to a real person who understands the business. Access the Bandwidth Phone Number Dashboard to track which numbers are getting more usage.
CNAM: Enable the lookup to pick from a database full of caller ID information displayed when someone calls. Easily add, update or delete entries using the portal or API. Add a personal touch to sales calls, employ CNAM to look up any number and help minimize missed calls and spam calls.

Hosted PBX: Keep better control over everything. Manage updates and get maximum flexibility. Move virtual PBX to a private cloud when required. Access integrated video conferencing solutions, apps for mobile phone devices, website live chat and much more. Automatically configure firewall rules. Launch the software in a few minutes using PBX Express. Get unlimited extensions. Manage extensions for remote workers seamlessly.
Phone System: Use the open-platform system with an option to migrate to the cloud. Deploy it on an existing server and reduce costs. Allow employees to have an excellent remote-working experience and increase overall productivity. Access flexible inbound calls, outbound calls, DIDs and ring groups.
Mobile Apps: Access secured communication for the entire team. Don’t restrict communication to building premises. Work on the go using the available extensions. Ensure customer satisfaction even while working remotely. Check the team’s availability easily. Eliminate learning curves and commence working quickly. Facilitate cost-effective phone calls between employees and colleagues. Transfer clients quickly to the appropriate department. Use the app and desk phone simultaneously.
CRM Integration: Keep the entire customer record handy to help the clients more efficiently and create a good impression in front of them. Create new customer records. Make calls in one click. Route calls seamlessly based on customer numbers or customer questions. Initiate and journal a call simultaneously.
Video Conferencing: Access easy-to-use and free enterprise-level video conferencing. Invite participants in a single click. Join meetings directly from the web browser without downloading any app. Share documents, present using a whiteboard, control remote screens and more. Add up to 250 participants. Schedule meetings within seconds.
Webphone: Handle all calls, check availability of team members and initiate video calls using one location. Make and receive calls straight from the web browser. Log in from anywhere using the required credentials and make a call with one click. Access voicemail, initiate video calls and get call notifications.
Call Center: Eliminate complex tasks and allow your agents to get more time to focus on vital work. Use the callback option and ensure no customer calls get missed. Record calls for reference purposes and access them whenever required. Centrally monitor ticket responses.
Live Chat: Integrate live chat with the phone system and allow website visitors to initiate real-time chats with the agents. Initiate a video call or live call without even dialing numbers. Manage all the communication on a single platform. Customize chat greetings keeping business hours and holidays in mind.
Microsoft 365: Connect with Microsoft 365 easily and streamline the workflow. Initiate calls directly from the interface. Automate phone contacts syncing. Use SSO authentication login using one click. Catch any important messages or calls. Create new extensions automatically.
Facebook Messages: Connect easily with customers. Eliminate the need to give all agents access to the Facebook page. Allow agents to respond to customers and resolve queries quickly. Track and archive Facebook messages successfully. Enable live chat messaging.
Business Texts: Use a designated business contact number to send and receive messages. Ensure no messages are unanswered, thus increasing customer satisfaction. Improve response rates.

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#27

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Analyst Rating Summary

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User Sentiment Summary

92%

of users recommend this product

Bandwidth has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 427 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

89%

of users recommend this product

3CX has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 89% when considering 613 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Scalability: Bandwidth's platform is designed to grow with your business, allowing you to easily add new phone lines and features as needed. This scalability ensures that your phone system can adapt to your evolving communication requirements.

Cost-Effectiveness: Bandwidth offers competitive pricing plans, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes. Their transparent pricing structure helps you understand your costs upfront, avoiding any surprises on your phone bill.

Reliability: Bandwidth has a strong reputation for reliability, ensuring that your phone system is always available when you need it. Their robust infrastructure and network redundancy minimize downtime and service interruptions.

Cost-Effective: 3CX offers a significant cost savings compared to traditional phone systems, eliminating the need for expensive hardware and maintenance contracts.

Feature-Rich: 3CX provides a comprehensive suite of features, including call forwarding, voicemail, video conferencing, and CRM integration, meeting the diverse needs of businesses.

Scalability: 3CX can easily scale to accommodate growing businesses, allowing for seamless expansion without the need for costly upgrades or additional hardware.

Call Quality Issues: Bandwidth's call quality has been reported as inconsistent, with users experiencing dropped calls, choppy audio, and latency issues, particularly in areas with weaker internet connections. This can be disruptive and unprofessional for businesses that rely on clear and reliable communication.

Customer Support Challenges: Bandwidth's customer support has received mixed reviews, with some users finding it difficult to get timely and effective assistance. Long wait times and unhelpful responses can be frustrating for businesses that need prompt resolution to technical issues.

Limited Features: Compared to some competitors, Bandwidth's feature set may be perceived as lacking, particularly for businesses with advanced communication needs. Features such as call recording, voicemail transcription, and integrations with CRM systems may be limited or require additional fees.

Limited Call Handling: 3CX can struggle to handle high call volumes, leading to dropped calls and long wait times, which can be detrimental for businesses that rely heavily on phone communication.

Integration Challenges: Integrating 3CX with other business applications, such as CRM systems, can be complex and time-consuming, hindering productivity and workflow efficiency.

Limited Customization: 3CX offers limited customization options, making it difficult for businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs and branding, which can impact user adoption and satisfaction.

Is your business phone system stuck in the dark ages? Need to expand your communications bandwidth? Bandwidth might be the solution you're looking for. User reviews from the past year highlight its strengths in call quality, reliability, and scalability, making it a top choice for businesses of all sizes. The platform's user-friendly interface and robust API integrations allow for seamless communication management, whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise. Users particularly appreciate the flexibility to port existing numbers and integrate with popular CRM systems like Salesforce, streamlining workflows and boosting productivity. Bandwidth's competitive pricing and pay-as-you-go model also make it a cost-effective solution for businesses with fluctuating communication needs. However, some users have noted that customer support can be slow at times, and the initial setup process may require some technical expertise. Additionally, while Bandwidth offers a wide range of features, some advanced functionalities may require additional fees. Despite these minor drawbacks, Bandwidth remains a popular choice for businesses seeking a reliable and scalable communication solution. Its ease of use, extensive features, and competitive pricing make it ideal for businesses looking to streamline their communication processes and enhance overall productivity. If you're ready to ditch your outdated phone system and embrace the future of business communication, Bandwidth is definitely worth considering.

3CX, a business phone software, has received positive user reviews over the past year. Users praise its ease of use, feature-richness, and cost-effectiveness. Compared to similar products, 3CX stands out for its intuitive interface, which makes it easy for users to set up and manage their phone systems. Additionally, 3CX offers a wide range of features, including call recording, voicemail, and video conferencing, which are essential for businesses of all sizes. One of the key differentiating factors of 3CX is its open-source nature. This allows businesses to customize the software to meet their specific needs. For example, businesses can integrate 3CX with their CRM or ERP systems to streamline their workflows. Another important factor is 3CX's affordability. Compared to proprietary solutions, 3CX offers a more cost-effective option without compromising on features or quality. Overall, 3CX is a well-rounded business phone software that is suitable for businesses of all sizes. Its ease of use, feature-richness, and affordability make it a great choice for businesses looking to improve their communications.

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FAQ

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