qlingen.

Qlingen vs 3CX

Proprietary software PBX, self-hosted or hosted by 3CX · 3CX Ltd, Cyprus

3CX is a closed-source PBX licensed by the number of simultaneous calls, deployable on your own server or in 3CX's own hosting. Qlingen is a 3CX alternative you run on your own cloud: a multi-tenant phone system on FreeSWITCH with call queues, callbacks, a browser softphone, a mobile app, an AI assistant and a full REST API — deployed and managed on a server in your own cloud account from one panel.

Feature comparison between Qlingen and 3CX
Feature Qlingen 3CX
Where it runs Your own cloud account (Vultr, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Linode, AWS, Google Cloud), deployed in one click Self-hosted or 3CX hosted
How you pay No per-user software fee: add seats without a new licence Annual licence by simultaneous calls
Several companies on one system Yes, built in: each tenant has its own numbers, users and settings No, one instance per company
Call queues Yes, with agent login, strategies and hold music Yes
Queue callbacks (press 0, keep your place) Yes, included Yes, in higher editions
Position and estimated wait announcements Yes, included Yes
Browser softphone Yes, WebRTC in any browser Yes
Mobile app Yes, with push wake-up and colleague chat Yes
AI assistant that changes the setup for you Yes: ask in plain language, approve the plan, it runs Limited to transcription and summaries
REST API Yes, everything in the panel, per-tenant tokens Yes, configuration and call-control APIs
Custom call logic Yes, your own FreeSWITCH XML with a safety allowlist Limited, via call flow designer
Who holds your call data You do, on your server You do when self-hosted

Why businesses choose Qlingen over 3CX

  • ✓No annual licence tied to a call-count tier, and no vendor approval needed to grow.
  • ✓Real multi-tenancy on one instance, where 3CX needs a separate instance per customer.
  • ✓Open to inspection and extension: your own FreeSWITCH dialplan, your own scripts, your own server.
  • ✓An AI assistant that edits the configuration for you, not just call transcripts.

Where 3CX is strong

  • •Polished web client and mobile apps with video meetings included.
  • •Large partner network and a smooth installer for Windows and Linux.
  • •Licensing by simultaneous calls rather than per user suits companies with many light users.

Frequently asked questions

Is Qlingen a good alternative to 3CX?
Yes for most businesses. Qlingen covers extensions, ring groups, call queues, IVR menus, voicemail, conferences, time conditions, inbound and outbound routing, a browser softphone and a mobile app. 3CX is a closed-source PBX licensed by the number of simultaneous calls, deployable on your own server or in 3CX's own hosting.
What does 3CX do better than Qlingen?
Polished web client and mobile apps with video meetings included. Large partner network and a smooth installer for Windows and Linux. Licensing by simultaneous calls rather than per user suits companies with many light users.
Where is Qlingen stronger than 3CX?
No annual licence tied to a call-count tier, and no vendor approval needed to grow. Real multi-tenancy on one instance, where 3CX needs a separate instance per customer. Open to inspection and extension: your own FreeSWITCH dialplan, your own scripts, your own server. An AI assistant that edits the configuration for you, not just call transcripts.
Can I move from 3CX to Qlingen without losing my numbers?
Yes. Your numbers stay with your carrier, or you port them to any SIP trunk provider, and point the trunk at Qlingen. Extensions, ring groups and menus are recreated in the web interface or in bulk through the REST API.

Ready to see Qlingen on your own cloud?

Create an account, connect your cloud provider, and your first PBX server is about fifteen minutes away — then compare it with 3CX on your own calls. Every account starts with a 7-day free trial, no card required.

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