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RingEX is the best all-around PBX choice for most small businesses that want hosted calling, messaging and video in one service. TechRadar’s November 6, 2025 roundup selected RingCentral MVP as its overall pick, but RingCentral now markets that small-business communications product as RingEX. RingCentral’s current product page lists RingCX separately for contact-center use.
3CX SMB Free is the lowest-license-cost option for teams of up to 10 users, provided you are willing to arrange a separate SIP trunk and handle more of the telephony setup. Your real cost then includes the telephone-number provider, hosting (if applicable), administration and support.
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Quick comparison
| System | Best for | How it is priced | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RingEX | Businesses wanting a managed, bundled cloud PBX | TechRadar listed the former RingCentral Office plans at $19.99, $27.99 and $34.99 per user per month; verify current RingEX quotes before buying | Per-user pricing can rise as the team grows |
| 3CX SMB Free | Up to 10 users with technical skills and a tight software budget | Free 3CX license for up to 10 users; SIP trunk and number charges are separate | Does not supply phone numbers or PSTN service |
| 3CX commercial editions | Organizations needing a dedicated, customizable PBX | Annual license per system, based on simultaneous calls (SC), not seats | Requires deployment planning and a SIP provider |
RingCentral says annual billing can save up to 33% for RingEX and up to 15% for RingCX. Its general small-business guidance describes cloud VoIP plans as typically costing $20–$35 per user per month when billed annually, but that is a market statement rather than a guaranteed quote. Check the current RingCentral terms and quote.
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RingEX is the safer recommendation when you want one vendor to operate the phone platform, apps and core collaboration tools. It is hosted, so a small company does not have to maintain a PBX server, SIP registration infrastructure or routine platform upgrades.
#1 Best Overall
- USA based customer service and support. Requires ring-u no contract phone service. Designed especially for small offices and businesses, the hello hub is easier to set up than most wireless routers. A virtual receptionist can professionally answer calls and route them to the person or department needed. Other features include an open/closed/holiday receptionist, as well as ring groups, and voicemail to email.
- Bundle of 9 items ships with eight (8) wifi and bluetooth-capable executive phones. One hello hub unit provides capacity for up to 20 lines (concurrent call capacity) and 50 extensions.
- The hello hub offers plug-n-play auto configuration for grandstream gxp 1620/1625/1630/2130/2135/2160/2170 grp2614/2616 + dp720/750 and wp820 phones. Fully operational in minutes, some grandstream phones(grp2614/2616) are also wifi enabled for ethernet cable-free connection.
- Mobile phone integration is simple. Use cell phones as extensions with or without ios and android apps. Texting directly from your system (web interface) using your primary business number is quick and easy. For even more utility, set up offsite land line phones as remote extensions.
- The integrated no contract voip service charges by the line, not by the seat or the extension, which allows for customizable savings, with no contract. Founded on honesty and customer satisfaction, ring-u offers industry-leading customer support and a 90-day 100% money back satisfaction guarantee.
What you pay for
TechRadar’s 2025 comparison listed three RingCentral plans under the older “Office” naming: Essentials at $19.99 per user per month, Standard at $27.99 and Premium at $34.99. Those figures appeared on a page published November 6, 2025, and should be treated as dated listing prices rather than a promise that the same tiers or rates remain available. The official current name is RingEX, not RingCentral MVP or RingCentral Office.
When RingEX saves administrative time
- You want calling, business messaging and video meetings from one account.
- You prefer a provider-managed cloud service rather than maintaining a server.
- You need to port an existing number without immediately disconnecting the old service.
RingCentral advertises number selection or porting during setup and says most transfers complete in two to 10 business days while the old service remains active. That is a provider estimate, not a guaranteed regulatory interval; keep the existing line until testing is complete.
When to consider RingCX instead
RingCX is RingCentral’s separate contact-center product. Choose it only when you need contact-center workflows rather than a straightforward office PBX; do not assume a RingEX plan includes every RingCX capability.
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- Quick and easy installation: Connect the main console to analog lines via RJ11; cordless handsets/desksets pair wirelessly with one-touch DECT 6.0 technology—no professional wiring or assistance needed for fast small office setup.
- Expandable to 10 stations: Grow your 4-line small business phone system seamlessly by adding up to 9 cordless handsets or desksets—ideal for scaling operations without replacing equipment.
- Professional auto attendant per line: Automatically answers calls on each of the 4 lines, offers company directory access, routes to extensions, and records voicemail for efficient, polished call management.
- Reliable digital answering system: Captures up to 180 shared minutes of incoming messages, announcements, and memos—ensuring no important calls are missed during busy hours.
- Enhanced productivity features: Full-duplex speakerphone for natural conversations, extra-large display, caller ID/call waiting, 100-name phonebook, 32 speed dials, cordless headset support, intercom, and customizable music-on-hold via 2.5mm jack.
When 3CX is the better financial decision
3CX can cost less for a technically capable business because commercial licensing is based on the number of simultaneous internal and external calls (SC) for the whole system, not on the number of users. The current commercial editions are Basic, Pro and AI. Prices are annual and shown before tax or VAT; 3CX warns that foreign-exchange movements, price changes and shopping-cart synchronization can affect the displayed amount. See the current 3CX price list and pricing qualifications.
3CX SMB Free
The SMB Free edition is advertised as free forever for up to 10 users. It includes iOS, Android, Windows and web clients, call handling, inbound WhatsApp, live chat and video calls for up to 10 people. The free license does not include a telephone number or the connection to the public telephone network.
3CX requires a SIP trunk provider for inbound and outbound PSTN calls. That provider supplies the number and bills for phone service, so “free 3CX” means no 3CX license charge—not zero telephony cost. The installation guide recommends 3CX SMB for companies with fewer than 10 users; organizations above 10 users need a dedicated 3CX instance and license. Review the SMB offering.
Rank #3
- Mission Machines G400C: Cloud Business Phone System / Server is loaded with features. It includes automated attendant and flexible call routing, call conferencing, call forwarding, call logs, contact center capable, call recording capable, internal paging and builtin intercom, call hold and call park, music library for music on hold, access control from your cell phone and many more features. All are standard at no additional charge. 3 free months of service are included. Once the free service expires, monthly subscription of 113.95 is required. No contract required, cancel service anytime. Any questions? Call 800-456-0392
- Plug & Play system. This system is preprogrammed to work once plugged to your network (wired or wifi connection). Port your existing phone number or we will assign a number for you. When using 'Mission Machines' VoIP service, you will benefit from a free three-month VoIP service for 3 lines valued at 113.95 per month (total offer value is $341.85). If needed, add lines @ $28/per line per month. Unlimited calling to the US & Canada included. No contract required, cancel anytime.
- FREE US-Based technical support is also included. We support what we sell. Live US-based tech support is available M-F 9:00am to 6:00pm EST
- Does your business need true cordless extensions or warehouse paging? This system can do it by connecting various adapters that will allow you to benefit from an array of business-type features.
- Experience unmatched HD audio clarity with WiFi support (no network wiring needed), live answer options, auto-attendant menus and so much more.
Hosting choices and infrastructure costs
You can use 3CX Hosted, deploy in a private cloud such as AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, DigitalOcean or Amazon Lightsail, or install on Windows or Linux on-premises. Self-hosted and on-premises deployments require a static IP, manageable DNS, split DNS for the 3CX FQDN and a configurable firewall. 3CX Hosted manages the operating system, upgrades and 24/7 system-security monitoring, but the installation guide says technical support is not included. Read the current installation requirements.
How to set up 3CX without expensive rework
1. Choose the deployment and permanent identifiers
- Start signup and select 3CX Hosted, Self Hosted (Private Cloud) or On Premise.
- Choose your personalized FQDN, set the extension length, select country and time zone, then click Next.
- Decide carefully: the FQDN cannot be easily changed later, and the extension length cannot be altered after deployment.
- After deployment, open the Web Client and click Admin on the left to enter the Admin Console.
2. Create users and extensions
Go to Admin Console → Admin → Users → Add User. Complete the General tab fields—extension, email, first and last name, mobile number, outbound caller ID, role, main department and assigned DID numbers—then click Save. The user receives a Welcome Email with account details. A department can control office hours, time zone and language; the documentation normally recommends one department per user. See the user-creation procedure.
3. Connect your telephone provider
Open Admin → Voice & Chat → + Add trunk. In SIP Trunk Details, select the country and provider, enter the registration or IP-authentication details and main trunk number, then use the DID Numbers tab and +Add to enter or import numbers. Under Options → Limit to, choose system-wide or department-specific access, and click Save.
Rank #4
- Sold as 1 Each.
- Conference phone allows for multiple participants to converse simultaneously.
- Compatible with up to four lines for expanded calling capabilities.
- Reliable DECT 6.0 digital technology enhances audio quality for ultra-clear, buzz-free communication.
- Monochrome LCD display for clear viewing.
A red trunk indicator means not registered; green means registered. Run the firewall check first on self-hosted or on-premises systems. Prefer a supported, preconfigured provider: 3CX warns that configuration with an unsupported provider may fall outside its assistance, and an IP-authenticated trunk must be updated with the provider if your host IP changes. Use the current SIP-trunk guide.
4. Route incoming numbers
For an IVR, ring group, queue or digital receptionist, open Call handling, select the system extension and choose the number under Assigned DID Number(s). For an individual, open Users, select the user, open General and assign the DID there. An unassigned DID follows the trunk’s default route; an explicit DID assignment takes precedence.
5. Configure SMS correctly
Use a provider that meets 3CX’s SMS requirements and enable Enable SMS in the trunk to generate the webhook. Enter SMS-enabled DIDs in E.164 format—for example, (813) 591-0130 becomes +18135910130. Provider-side setup requires its Access Key and Secret Key.
Best Value
- Mission Machines G400C: Cloud Business Phone System / Server is loaded with features. It includes automated attendant and flexible call routing, call conferencing, call forwarding, call logs, contact center capable, call recording capable, internal paging and builtin intercom, call hold and call park, music library for music on hold, access control from your cell phone and many more features. All are standard at no additional charge. 3 free months of service are included. Once the free service expires, monthly subscription of 113.95 is required. No contract required, cancel service anytime. Any questions? Call 800-456-0392
- Plug & Play system. This system is preprogrammed to work once plugged to your network (wired or wifi connection). Port your existing phone number or we will assign a number for you. When using 'Mission Machines' VoIP service, you will benefit from a free three-month VoIP service for 3 lines valued at 113.95 per month (total offer value is $341.85). If needed, add lines @ $28/per line per month. Unlimited calling to the US & Canada included. No contract required, cancel anytime.
- FREE US-Based technical support is also included. We support what we sell. Live US-based tech support is available M-F 9:00am to 6:00pm EST
- Does your business need true cordless extensions or warehouse paging? This system can do it by connecting various adapters that will allow you to benefit from an array of business-type features.
- Experience unmatched HD audio clarity with WiFi support (no network wiring needed), live answer options, auto-attendant menus and so much more.
Queues and everyday calling
Build a call queue
Go to Admin Console → Admin → Call Handling → Add Queue. The form includes General, Users, Notifications, Options, 3CX Talk and Advanced sections.
Standard polling strategies include Ring All, Prioritized Hunt, Hunt Random Start, Round Robin, Longest Waiting, Least Talk Time, Fewest Answered, Hunt by Threes Random and Hunt by Threes Prioritized. The AI edition adds skills-based Ring All, Hunt Random Start, Round Robin and Fewest Answered strategies.
Members must be logged into the queue to receive calls. To automate status-based login and logout, use Admin → Users → Edit User → Call Forwarding and set Log out from queues for each status. The default ring time is 30 seconds. Callback requests can be user-initiated, triggered after a timeout or offered after a timeout; the documented default offer delay is 600 seconds. Queue statistics appear in the Web Client’s Panel under Agent Status and Queue Monitoring. Check the queue documentation.
The Tool Desk
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Click the dialer icon in the upper-right, enter a number or search by name, extension or email, and click the handset icon. The Call using: Browser dropdown selects the device or app. During a call, Transfer completes a direct transfer, while Att.transfer lets you brief the recipient before completing it. Record and New Call are available in the same call controls.
Click your avatar in the upper-right to change status. Forwarding rules are under Settings → Call Forwarding. See the Web Client controls.
Which system should you buy?
- Choose RingEX if predictable vendor management, bundled collaboration and a conventional per-user bill matter more than maximum deployment control.
- Choose 3CX SMB Free if you have 10 or fewer users, can select and manage a SIP provider, and want to minimize license expense.
- Choose a paid 3CX edition if simultaneous-call capacity, custom routing or deployment flexibility makes system-based licensing cheaper than per-user service.
Budget the complete system, not just the advertised license: numbers and SIP service, hosting, taxes, implementation time, firewall/DNS work, support and any contact-center or SMS requirements can change the total cost.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
