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Head-to-head · Business Phone Systems

RingCentral RingEX vs 3CX

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score RingCentral RingEX #2 in Business Phone Systems 9.1/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit RingCentral
3CX #6 in Business Phone Systems 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit 3CX

RingCentral RingEX leads on 0 checks, 3CX on 2, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRingCentral RingEX · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly 3CX
  • Free trialonly RingCentral RingEX

RingCentral RingEX scores higher on our rubric for business phone systems: 9.1 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

3CX offers free plan; RingCentral RingEX doesn't. 3CX leads on included users: 40 users versus 20 users. On call routing, RingCentral RingEX gives you Custom where 3CX offers Advanced.

RingCentral RingEX is the better fit for established organizations needing unified communications. 3CX is the better fit for teams wanting maximum PBX breadth and flexibility.

  • RingCentral RingEX fits best

    Established organizations needing unified communications

  • 3CX fits best

    Teams wanting maximum PBX breadth and flexibility

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature RingCentral RingEX 9.1/10 Visit ↗ 3CX 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.5
Ranking #2 in Business Phone Systems #6 in Business Phone Systems
Best for Established organizations needing unified communications Teams wanting maximum PBX breadth and flexibility
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $19.99/user/mo $300/yr
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Integrations 500+ integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features RingCentral RingEX 3/3 · 3CX 3/3
Auto attendant ✓ ✓
Voicemail transcription ✓ ✓
Desktop and mobile apps ✓ ✓
Specs
Included users 20 users 40 users (best)
Business numbers Multiple Not checked yet
Call routing Custom Advanced
Our review
Pros
  • Custom IVR and call routing for business hours, availability, and rules
  • Calling, SMS, fax, meetings, messaging, and voicemail in one platform
  • AI notes, transcription, summaries, and message translation
  • Free plan supports up to 40 users
  • Advanced call flows, IVR, queues and routing scripts
  • Broad apps, integrations, messaging and deployment options
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • Plan packaging varies across RingCentral pages and regions
  • Advanced meeting and recording capabilities vary by plan
  • Paid pricing is billed annually per system
  • Free edition is limited to very small deployments
  • Business numbers generally require a SIP trunk provider
Our verdict

RingCentral RingEX is a cloud-based unified communications platform for businesses that need calling, messaging, meetings, fax, voicemail, and administration in one application. It supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android access,…

Read the review →

3CX is a software-based business communications platform for organizations that need PBX calling, contact center capabilities and flexible deployment. It combines SIP trunk support, auto attendants, multi-level IVR, call queues, ring…

Read the review →
  1. RingCentral RingEXBusiness Phone Systems 9.114-day trial
  2. 3CXBusiness Phone Systems 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • RingCentral RingEX — where it wins

    • Custom IVR and call routing for business hours, availability, and rules
    • Calling, SMS, fax, meetings, messaging, and voicemail in one platform
    • AI notes, transcription, summaries, and message translation

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Plan packaging varies across RingCentral pages and regions
    • Advanced meeting and recording capabilities vary by plan

  • 3CX — where it wins

    • Free plan supports up to 40 users
    • Advanced call flows, IVR, queues and routing scripts
    • Broad apps, integrations, messaging and deployment options

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid pricing is billed annually per system
    • Free edition is limited to very small deployments
    • Business numbers generally require a SIP trunk provider
  • RingCentral RingEX9.1/10 · 14-day trial

    A broad cloud communications suite for established organizations with complex calling needs.

    Visit RingCentralFull verdict →
  • 3CX8.5/10 · Free plan

    A broad, capacity-priced phone system for teams that need routing flexibility.

    Visit 3CXFull verdict →

More comparisons

All business phone systems comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update