3CX alternative comparison | Australia | Fact-checked 16 June 2026
3CX vs 8×8: which phone system is better for Australian businesses?
3CX and 8×8 solve different versions of the business phone problem. 3CX is closer to a modern PBX that can be hosted, self-hosted, or run on-premise. 8×8 is a cloud communications platform that brings calling, meetings, messaging, contact centre, Microsoft Teams options, CPaaS, and AI under one vendor.
Comparison note: this article is written from a consultant perspective for Australian businesses reviewing 3CX alternatives. We may have commercial relationships with certain products and services, including Yeastar distribution, so recommendations should be tested against your requirements. We can help assess 3CX, 8×8, Yeastar, Teams Phone, RingCentral, Aircall, and other options depending on your business.
In this 3CX vs 8×8 comparison
This Australian business phone comparison is written for buyers searching for 3CX alternatives, cloud phone systems Australia, office phone comparison, and the best 3CX replacement. It compares 3CX with 8×8 across cloud UCaaS, contact centre, Microsoft Teams, global reach, pricing model, handsets, and migration risk.
Quick answer
Start with the practical verdict on when 3CX makes sense and when 8×8 is the better shortlist option.
Feature and pricing table
Use the comparison table to scan pricing model, deployment, calling features, Teams, support, and migration considerations.
Personalised comparison
Get help comparing 8×8 with 3CX, Yeastar, Microsoft Teams Phone, RingCentral, Aircall, VoIPLine Telecom, and other Australian phone-system options.
Quick verdict
Choose 3CX when you want PBX control, simultaneous-call licensing, bring-your-own trunk flexibility, and a system your IT provider can manage closely. Choose 8×8 when you want a cloud-first communications suite with global reach, one app for voice/video/chat, contact-centre depth, Microsoft Teams integration options, and a single vendor across UCaaS and CCaaS.
Best if you want PBX control
3CX is usually the better starting point if you want a familiar PBX model, self-hosting or on-premise options, SIP trunk choice, and licensing based on simultaneous calls rather than a pure per-user SaaS bundle.
Best if you want cloud UC and CX
8×8 is stronger when the project is bigger than phone replacement: calling, messaging, meetings, analytics, integrations, contact centre, Microsoft Teams, global users, and AI-assisted workflows.
Best if you are unsure
Run a requirements review before choosing. Australian SIP trunks, emergency calling, handset reuse, NBN resilience, call queues, Teams usage, CRM integrations, recordings, and support ownership can change the answer quickly.
3CX vs 8×8 at a glance
This is not a simple “which is better?” comparison. 3CX and 8×8 have different product philosophies, pricing models, deployment paths, and support assumptions.
| Area | 3CX | 8×8 | Australian buyer note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core model | PBX-style business phone system with hosted, self-hosted, and on-premise paths. | Cloud communications platform combining UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS, Microsoft Teams options, and AI. | Start by deciding whether this is a phone-system replacement or a wider communications platform project. |
| Pricing model | 3CX PRO and Enterprise/AI are licensed by simultaneous calls. SMB Free is available for up to 10 users. | 8×8’s Australian pricing page is quote-led and promotes mix-and-match packages across UC, contact centre, CPaaS, Teams, and related products. | Compare whole-of-contract cost, including hosting, licences, calling, support, recordings, analytics, AI, porting, and implementation. |
| Deployment | Hosted by 3CX, self-hosted, Windows/Linux, and on-premise options. | Cloud-first service delivered through 8×8’s platform and apps. | 3CX gives more infrastructure control. 8×8 reduces infrastructure ownership but increases reliance on the provider platform. |
| Calling and PBX features | Strong PBX features, SIP trunks, ring groups, queues, apps, web client, live chat, WhatsApp, SMS, CRM, Teams, and AI options by edition. | 8×8 Work includes cloud calling, advanced routing, business texting, voicemail-to-email, desktop/web/mobile/desk phone support, ring groups, and call queues. | Both cover mainstream business calling. The difference is operating model and surrounding platform. |
| Contact centre | Integrated contact-centre features depending on edition, including queues, wallboard, callback, reports, and related tools. | 8×8 Contact Center includes omnichannel routing, agent and supervisor workspaces, analytics, high-volume messaging, AI-enabled self-service, workforce engagement, and secure payments. | 8×8 is usually stronger for formal omnichannel contact centre projects. |
| Microsoft Teams | 3CX supports Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams integration paths. | 8×8 has a dedicated Microsoft Teams offer for calling and a Teams-certified contact centre integration. | If Teams is already central to your business, compare the Teams user experience carefully before choosing. |
| Global reach | 3CX can be deployed globally, but trunking, support, hosting, and regulatory handling depend on your provider model. | 8×8 promotes native phone service in 50+ countries and 35 points of presence for global cloud connectivity. | 8×8 can be attractive for Australian firms with international users, offices, or customer service teams. |
| Handsets and sites | 3CX hosted deployments require router phones or SBCs for IP phones; on-premise/self-hosted offers local LAN/VPN options. | 8×8 supports desktop, web, mobile, and desk-phone use through its cloud service. | Audit handset models, provisioning ownership, SBC needs, remote-site reliability, and NBN failover before moving. |
| Best fit | Businesses wanting PBX control, SIP trunk flexibility, and provider-led management. | Businesses wanting a cloud suite across calling, video, chat, analytics, integrations, contact centre, and AI. | The right choice depends on whether you value control and cost modelling or platform breadth and cloud standardisation. |
The real difference
3CX is a PBX decision. 8×8 is a platform decision.
3CX appeals to businesses that still want to design and control a phone system: SIP trunks, extensions, call routing, queues, desk phones, deployment choices, and partner-managed support. It can be very efficient when simultaneous-call licensing lines up with real call volume.
8×8 appeals when the scope is wider. Its Australian site positions 8×8 Work as one app for calls, meetings, and messaging, backed by 8×8’s broader platform for contact centre, Microsoft Teams, CPaaS, analytics, and AI. That can be cleaner for a business standardising communications across departments or countries.
A practical review should map
- Users, call volume, simultaneous calls, and licence economics.
- Handsets, softphones, mobile users, and branch-site connectivity.
- Queues, reporting, call recordings, contact-centre workflows, and AI requirements.
- SIP trunks, numbers, 000 routing, porting, failover, and support ownership.
Where 3CX usually makes more sense
You want PBX design control
3CX is a better fit when your provider or IT team wants direct control over call flows, trunks, extensions, phones, hosting model, and migration timing.
Simultaneous-call pricing suits you
If you have many users but modest concurrent calling, 3CX’s simultaneous-call model may be commercially attractive compared with platforms that bundle more features per user.
You bring your own carrier strategy
Businesses with preferred Australian SIP trunk providers, number arrangements, or existing carrier contracts may prefer the PBX-and-trunk separation that 3CX supports.
Where 8×8 usually makes more sense
You want one cloud communications vendor
8×8 Work brings calling, video meetings, team messaging, desktop, web, mobile, desk-phone support, analytics, and integrations into a single cloud platform.
Your contact centre is important
8×8 Contact Center is the stronger starting point for omnichannel routing, agent and supervisor workspaces, analytics, workforce engagement, secure payment processing, and AI-enabled self-service.
You operate internationally
8×8 promotes native phone service in more than 50 countries and 35 points of presence. That can matter for Australian businesses with overseas teams, regional offices, or international customer service.
Australian considerations before switching
Emergency calling and location
Triple Zero (000) is Australia’s main emergency number. ACMA notes that 000 can be called from fixed and mobile phones and certain VoIP services, but location handling differs for mobile and VoIP. Any migration needs 000 routing, caller ID, and service-address checks.
Power and NBN resilience
ACMA warns that most services connected to the NBN will not work during a power outage. For both 3CX and 8×8, plan mobile fallback, secondary internet, UPS power, and call-forwarding continuity.
Phone and carrier ownership
Before changing systems, confirm who owns the handset provisioning, number porting, SIP trunks, RPS records, call recordings, data retention, emergency-address updates, and day-two support.
Need a clearer answer?
Compare 3CX, 8×8, and other phone systems against your actual requirements.
We can help you assess users, sites, handsets, trunks, Teams usage, contact-centre needs, call recording, AI, licence economics, migration risk, and Australian support before you commit to a platform.
Ask for a practical comparison
Use the form to request a neutral review of 3CX, 8×8, Yeastar, Teams Phone, RingCentral, Aircall, or another option.
Recommendation by scenario
| Scenario | Better starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want to replace or modernise a PBX | 3CX or another PBX-style alternative | Start with control, SIP trunking, handset reuse, call-flow design, and support model. |
| You want a cloud-first UC and contact-centre platform | 8×8 | 8×8 has a broader cloud platform story across UCaaS, CCaaS, CPaaS, Teams, integrations, analytics, and AI. |
| You have many users but limited concurrent calls | 3CX may price well | Simultaneous-call licensing can suit high-user, lower-concurrency businesses. |
| You have international teams or customers | 8×8 may be stronger | Its global cloud infrastructure and native service footprint can simplify multi-country operations. |
| You need an Australian strategy review | Consultant-led comparison | The best answer may be 3CX, 8×8, Yeastar, Teams Phone, RingCentral, or another platform once local requirements are mapped. |
Frequently asked questions
Is 8×8 a good 3CX alternative?
Yes, if you want a cloud communications platform rather than a PBX-style replacement. 8×8 is especially relevant for organisations that need UCaaS, contact centre, Teams integration, analytics, AI, and global user support.
Is 3CX cheaper than 8×8?
It depends. 3CX PRO and Enterprise/AI are priced by simultaneous calls, while 8×8’s Australian pricing page is quote-led and package-based. Compare total cost across licences, calling, hosting, support, recording, contact-centre tools, AI, and migration.
Which is better for contact centres?
8×8 is usually the stronger starting point for formal omnichannel contact centres. 3CX can still be suitable for businesses that mainly need phone queues, reporting, callback, and PBX-centred call handling.
Can we keep our existing phones if we move from 3CX to 8×8?
Maybe. It depends on handset model, firmware, provisioning ownership, RPS records, and whether the phones are supported by the target service. A handset audit should happen before choosing any 3CX replacement.
What should Australian businesses check before changing phone systems?
Check emergency calling, service addresses, number porting, SIP trunks, NBN and power resilience, mobile fallback, call recording retention, privacy obligations, support ownership, and whether your new platform fits existing Microsoft 365, CRM, and helpdesk workflows.