Differences Between Hosted Free PBX and Cloud Hosted VoIP Platforms
Are you tired of paying exorbitant fees for your cloud hosted VoIP platform? Do you want to know about a more cost-effective and powerful solution? In this article, we will compare and contrast the features and pricing of a hosted free PBX system with a standard cloud hosted VoIP platform such as RingCentral, 8x8, or Finality. We will provide a real-world example of the cost savings you can achieve by switching to a free PBX hosted in the cloud.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is a Hosted Free PBX System?
3. What is a Cloud Hosted VoIP Platform?
4. Features Comparison
- Inbound Caller ID Name
- Multilevel Auto Attendant
- Configuration and Best Practice Design
- Phones Included
5. Pricing Comparison
- Upfront Costs
- Monthly Recurring Costs
- Five-Year Cost Comparison
6. Pros and Cons of Hosted Free PBX and Cloud Hosted VoIP
7. Highlights
8. FAQ
9. Conclusion
10. Resources
What is a Hosted Free PBX System?
A hosted free PBX system is a cloud-based phone system that allows you to make and receive calls over the internet. It is based on the open-source software FreePBX, which provides a wide range of features and capabilities. With a hosted free PBX system, you do not need to purchase any hardware or software. Instead, you pay a monthly fee for the hosting service and the SIP trunking service, which allows you to connect to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
What is a Cloud Hosted VoIP Platform?
A cloud hosted VoIP platform is a phone system that is hosted in the cloud and allows you to make and receive calls over the internet. It is provided by companies such as RingCentral, 8x8, or Finality, which offer a range of features and capabilities. With a cloud hosted VoIP platform, you typically pay a monthly fee per phone, which includes the hosting service, the SIP trunking service, and the phone itself.
Features Comparison
Inbound Caller ID Name
One of the features that is often missing from the lower-tier plans of cloud hosted VoIP platforms is inbound caller ID name. This means that when someone calls you, you will not see their name displayed on your phone. With a hosted free PBX system, inbound caller ID name is included in all plans.
Multilevel Auto Attendant
Another feature that is often missing from the lower-tier plans of cloud hosted VoIP platforms is multilevel auto attendant. This allows you to set up a menu system that directs callers to the appropriate department or person. With a hosted free PBX system, multilevel auto attendant is included in all plans.
Configuration and Best Practice Design
With a cloud hosted VoIP platform, you are responsible for configuring the system yourself. This can be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the technology. With a hosted free PBX system, configuration and best practice design are included in the service. This means that you can be sure that your system is set up correctly and optimized for your needs.
Phones Included
With a cloud hosted VoIP platform, you typically have to purchase or rent the phones separately. This can add a significant amount to your monthly costs. With a hosted free PBX system, the phones are included in the service. This means that you do not have to worry about purchasing or renting phones separately.
Pricing Comparison
Upfront Costs
The upfront costs of a cloud hosted VoIP platform are typically lower than those of a hosted free PBX system. This is because you do not have to purchase any hardware or software. However, you do have to purchase or rent the phones separately, which can add a significant amount to your upfront costs. With a hosted free PBX system, the upfront costs are higher because you have to purchase the phones and pay for the configuration and best practice design. However, this means that your monthly costs are lower.
Monthly Recurring Costs
The monthly recurring costs of a cloud hosted VoIP platform can be significant, especially if you have a large number of phones. With a hosted free PBX system, the monthly recurring costs are lower because you only pay for the hosting service and the SIP trunking service. This means that you can save a significant amount of money over the long term.
Five-Year Cost Comparison
When you compare the five-year costs of a cloud hosted VoIP platform and a hosted free PBX system, the cost savings of the latter become apparent. For example, the five-year cost of a ten-phone RingCentral system is $30,180, while the five-year cost of a ten-phone crosstalk cloud PBX system is $8,520. This represents a cost savings of $21,660 over five years.
Pros and Cons of Hosted Free PBX and Cloud Hosted VoIP
Hosted Free PBX
Pros:
- Lower long-term costs
- More features included in all plans
- Configuration and best practice design included in the service
- Phones included in the service
Cons:
- Higher upfront costs
- Requires more technical expertise
Cloud Hosted VoIP
Pros:
- Lower upfront costs
- Easy to set up and use
- Good for small businesses with few phones
Cons:
- Higher long-term costs
- Fewer features included in lower-tier plans
- Configuration and best practice design not included in the service
- Phones not included in the service
Highlights
- Hosted free PBX systems offer a more cost-effective and powerful solution than cloud hosted VoIP platforms.
- Hosted free PBX systems include more features in all plans, such as inbound caller ID name and multilevel auto attendant.
- Hosted free PBX systems include configuration and best practice design in the service, while cloud hosted VoIP platforms require you to configure the system yourself.
- Hosted free PBX systems include phones in the service, while cloud hosted VoIP platforms require you to purchase or rent the phones separately.
- The five-year cost savings of a hosted free PBX system can be significant, especially for businesses with many phones.
FAQ
Q: What is SIP trunking?
A: SIP trunking is a service that allows you to connect your phone system to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) over the internet.
Q: Can I use my existing phones with a hosted free PBX system?
A: Yes, you can use your existing phones with a hosted free PBX system, as long as they are compatible with the system.
Q: Do I need technical expertise to set up a hosted free PBX system?
A: While some technical expertise is required to set up a hosted free PBX system, the configuration and best practice design are included in the service.
Q: Can I add more phones to my hosted free PBX system?
A: Yes, you can add more phones to your hosted free PBX system as your business grows.
Conclusion
If you are tired of paying exorbitant fees for your cloud hosted VoIP platform, it may be time to consider a hosted free PBX system. With more features included in all plans, configuration and best practice design included in the service, and phones included in the service, a hosted free PBX system offers a more cost-effective and powerful solution than a cloud hosted VoIP platform. Contact us at crosstalksolutions.com to learn more about how we can save you money on your phone system solution.
Resources:
- https://www.crosstalksolutions.com/
- https://www.voc.ai/product/ai-chatbot
