3CX alternative comparison | Australia | Fact-checked 20 June 2026
3CX vs MaxoTel: which phone system is better for Australian businesses?
3CX and MaxoTel both belong on an Australian business phone shortlist, but they approach the problem differently. 3CX is a PBX platform with flexible deployment and SIP trunk options. MaxoTel is an Australian hosted PBX and telecommunications provider focused on cloud business phone systems, Australian support, integrations, hosted PBX plans, NBN-ready voice, and business calling services.
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, MaxoTel, Yeastar, VoIPLine, Vonex, Teams Phone, RingCentral, and other options depending on your business.
In this 3CX vs MaxoTel 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 MaxoTel across hosted PBX, Australian support, SIP trunk considerations, integrations, pricing model, handsets, resilience, and migration planning.
Quick answer
Start with the practical verdict on when 3CX makes sense and when MaxoTel 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 MaxoTel with 3CX, Yeastar, Microsoft Teams Phone, RingCentral, 8×8, Aircall, and other Australian phone-system options.
Quick verdict
Choose 3CX when you want PBX platform control, simultaneous-call licensing, SIP trunk choice, and flexible hosting. Choose MaxoTel when you want an Australian hosted PBX provider with strong local support positioning, integrations, hosted PBX plans, phone hardware options, business NBN context, and a provider-managed cloud phone system.
Best if you want PBX control
3CX is usually stronger when call routing, trunks, handsets, hosting, and support need a custom provider-led architecture.
Best if you want Australian hosted PBX
MaxoTel is strong when local support, hosted PBX packaging, Australian phone numbers, integrations, and cloud phone simplicity matter most.
Best if you are unsure
Review plans carefully. Some hosted PBX plans are not the same as SIP trunking, and contract, hardware, call inclusions, and support model all matter.
3CX vs MaxoTel at a glance
MaxoTel is a local-provider comparison rather than a global UCaaS comparison. The right question is whether you want a PBX platform selected and managed by your provider, or a hosted PBX service package from an Australian telecommunications provider.
| Area | 3CX | MaxoTel | Australian buyer note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core model | PBX-style business phone system with hosted, self-hosted, and on-premise paths. | Australian hosted PBX/business phone provider with cloud phone system plans, integrations, handsets, NBN-related services, and support. | 3CX is platform-led; MaxoTel is provider-service-led. |
| Pricing model | Commercial editions are priced by simultaneous calls. | MaxoTel publishes plan options and critical information summaries for hosted PBX and related services, including no-minimum-term PAYG examples and plan-specific inclusions/exclusions. | Compare hosted PBX plan, calls, handsets, numbers, hardware, support, and contract assumptions. |
| Hosted PBX | Can be hosted by 3CX, a partner, or self-hosted. | MaxoTel positions hosted PBX/virtual PBX as a cloud business phone system with Australian support and remote-work flexibility. | MaxoTel may be simpler when you want one provider to package the phone service. |
| SIP trunks | 3CX works with SIP trunks selected and configured by your provider. | MaxoTel has separate SIP trunking-related services, but some hosted PBX plan CIS documents state SIP trunking is not included on those plans. | Do not assume hosted PBX and SIP trunking are interchangeable. Confirm plan fit. |
| Integrations | CRM and Teams options depend on edition and configuration. | MaxoTel lists integrations including Microsoft Teams, Salesforce, Zoho CRM, Xero, Tall Emu CRM, Dropbox, and Google Drive. | Validate the exact integration behaviour before procurement. |
| Support | Support depends on 3CX, partner, hosting, and carrier arrangements. | MaxoTel prominently positions Australian support and publishes support/contact pathways. | Support ownership may be a deciding factor for SMEs. |
| Best fit | Businesses wanting PBX control, deployment choice, and SIP trunk strategy. | Businesses wanting Australian hosted PBX with local support and provider packaging. | Compare control versus packaged delivery. |
The real difference
3CX is a flexible PBX platform. MaxoTel is an Australian hosted PBX provider.
3CX gives your provider more choice over where the PBX runs, which SIP trunks are used, how call routing is designed, and how phones are provisioned. That can be valuable for businesses with specific architecture or migration requirements.
MaxoTel is attractive when you want the service provider to carry more of the operational load: hosted PBX, support, plans, phones, integrations, and Australian telco context.
A practical review should map
- Hosted PBX plan, call inclusions, numbers, hardware, and minimum term.
- SIP trunking versus hosted PBX requirements.
- Call flows, queues, reception, recording, integrations, and Teams needs.
- NBN resilience, emergency calling, support ownership, and migration risk.
Where each option usually fits
3CX: custom design
Choose 3CX when you want tailored deployment, SIP trunk choice, simultaneous-call licensing, local provider design, and migration flexibility.
MaxoTel: hosted PBX service
Choose MaxoTel when local hosted PBX, support, integrations, phones, and provider-managed simplicity are more important than running a specific PBX platform.
Review first
Both can be sensible. The deciding factors are plan structure, support, call flows, SIP trunk needs, Teams, hardware, and emergency-calling design.
Need a clearer answer?
Compare 3CX, MaxoTel, and other Australian phone-system options.
We can help you assess hosted PBX plans, SIP trunks, Teams, call flows, support, numbers, handsets, NBN resilience, migration risk, and total cost.
Ask for a practical comparison
Use the form to request a neutral review of 3CX, MaxoTel, Yeastar, VoIPLine, Vonex, Teams Phone, or another option.
Recommendation by scenario
| Scenario | Better starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want PBX deployment control | 3CX | More flexibility over hosting, trunks, and design. |
| You want Australian hosted PBX support | MaxoTel | Local support and hosted PBX packaging are central to the offer. |
| You need SIP trunking | Compare carefully | Confirm whether the selected plan supports SIP trunking or hosted PBX extensions only. |
| You need a local-provider shortlist | Consultant-led comparison | Compare MaxoTel, VoIPLine, Vonex, Yeastar, and 3CX against the same requirements. |
Frequently asked questions
Is MaxoTel a good 3CX alternative?
Yes, particularly if you want an Australian hosted PBX provider rather than a PBX platform selected and hosted separately.
Is 3CX cheaper than MaxoTel?
It depends on simultaneous calls, users, handsets, hosted PBX plans, SIP trunks, calls, support, and contract assumptions. Compare whole-of-service cost.
Can MaxoTel replace SIP trunks?
Maybe, but hosted PBX and SIP trunking are different services. Some plan documents state SIP trunking is not included, so confirm the exact plan before migrating.
What should Australian businesses check?
Check emergency calling, porting, plan inclusions, support response, NBN resilience, handsets, call recording, Teams, integrations, and contract terms.