If you’re shopping for a business phone system in 2026, Yeastar and 3CX are probably both on your shortlist. They’re two of the most popular PBX platforms for small-to-medium businesses, and on paper they look similar — cloud or on-premise deployment, SIP trunk support, mobile apps, CRM integrations.
But they’re different in ways that matter. Pricing models, licensing, ease of use, contact centre features, and management approach all diverge significantly. As a partner for both Yeastar and 3CX, we’ve deployed hundreds of systems on each platform. Here’s an honest, side-by-side comparison.
Pricing
| Yeastar P-Series Cloud | 3CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Per-user/month | Per-system/year (based on simultaneous calls) |
| Entry plan | ~$7-13/user/month (Standard) | Free (up to 10 users) |
| Mid plan | ~$13-20/user/month (Enterprise) | €175/year (up to 16 simultaneous calls) |
| Top plan | ~$20-30/user/month (Ultimate) | €295-495/year (Pro/Enterprise) |
| 20 users cost/year | ~$1,680-3,120 | Free – €295 |
| 50 users cost/year | ~$4,200-7,800 | €175 – €495 |
| Call costs | Via SIP trunk (you choose provider) | Via SIP trunk (you choose provider) |
Verdict: 3CX is significantly cheaper on licensing. Yeastar’s per-user model adds up fast as you grow. However, Yeastar includes more features in each tier — so you may need 3CX’s Pro or Enterprise licence to match Yeastar’s Standard plan.
Features Comparison
| Feature | Yeastar P-Series | 3CX |
|---|---|---|
| Voice calling | Yes | Yes |
| Video conferencing | Yes (built-in) | Yes (up to 250 users) |
| Team chat | Yes (via Linkus) | Yes (built-in) |
| Mobile app | Linkus UC (iOS, Android) | 3CX App (iOS, Android) |
| Desktop client | Linkus UC (Windows, Mac, Web) | 3CX App (Windows, Mac, Linux, Web) |
| Call recording | Yes (all plans) | Yes (all plans) |
| IVR / Auto-attendant | Yes (multi-level) | Yes (multi-level) |
| Call queues | Yes (all plans) | Yes (all plans) |
| Wallboards | Yes (Enterprise+) | Yes (built-in + third-party) |
| CRM integrations | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Zendesk, Odoo, Bitrix24 + more | Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Freshdesk, Microsoft Dynamics + more |
| Microsoft Teams | Yes (integration available) | Yes (direct routing) |
| Operator panel | Yes (built-in) | Yes (built-in) |
| Call transcription | Yes (Ultimate plan add-on) | Yes (V20+ with AI) |
| Contact centre | ACD, queue callbacks, agent coaching, wallboards | Queues, wallboards, agent stats, recording |
| Hotel PMS module | Yes (add-on) | No |
| Hot standby/failover | Yes (Enterprise+) | Limited |
| White label | Yes (for resellers) | No |
Where Yeastar Wins
- Linkus UC client — polished, modern interface that’s easier for non-technical users
- Operator panel — better built-in switchboard for receptionists
- Hotel PMS module — purpose-built for hotels (check-in/out, room status, wake-up calls)
- Hot standby — automatic failover for high availability
- White label — resellers can brand the system
- Drag-and-drop call flow designer — easier IVR setup for non-technical admins
Where 3CX Wins
- Pricing — dramatically cheaper licensing, especially for larger deployments
- Free tier — 10 users free forever, Yeastar has no free option
- Linux support — desktop client runs on Linux
- Self-hosting flexibility — run on any cloud, VM, or bare metal
- Video conferencing — up to 250 participants, more mature
- Community and ecosystem — larger partner network, more third-party integrations
- Advanced reporting — with tools like ITelecoms Advanced 3CX Reports, reporting capabilities are superior
Deployment Options
| Yeastar | 3CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-hosted (vendor) | Yes (Yeastar Cloud) | Yes (3CX hosts) |
| Cloud-hosted (your choice) | Yes (Software Edition on your cloud) | Yes (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.) |
| On-premise appliance | Yes (hardware appliances available) | Yes (on any server/VM) |
| Hybrid | Yes | Yes |
Both platforms offer full flexibility. Yeastar has purpose-built hardware appliances for businesses that prefer physical equipment. 3CX is software-only — you install it on whatever hardware or cloud you choose.
Ease of Use
Yeastar is generally considered easier to use out of the box. The web interface is clean and modern, the Linkus UC client is polished, and features like the drag-and-drop call flow designer make configuration accessible to non-technical staff.
3CX is more powerful and configurable but has a steeper learning curve. The management console is functional but less visually polished. However, once configured (typically by a partner), day-to-day use through the 3CX app is straightforward.
Bottom line: If you’re self-managing, Yeastar is easier. If you have a managed service partner handling configuration, the difference disappears — your users only interact with the client app, which is good on both platforms.
Support
| Yeastar | 3CX | |
|---|---|---|
| Direct vendor support | Yes (for partners and end-users on cloud plans) | Via partners only |
| Partner network | Growing | Very large, established |
| Documentation | Good | Extensive |
| Community | Smaller | Large forums, YouTube, Reddit |
3CX has a larger ecosystem and community. If you Google a 3CX question, you’ll find answers. Yeastar’s community is smaller but their direct support is responsive.
Who Should Choose What
Choose Yeastar if:
- You want a modern, easy-to-manage system with minimal IT involvement
- You’re a hotel or hospitality business (PMS module)
- You want a polished UC client (Linkus) for your team
- You’re a reseller looking to white-label a phone system
- You need hot standby / high availability built in
- You prefer per-user billing and predictable monthly costs
Choose 3CX if:
- Budget is your primary concern — 3CX costs a fraction of Yeastar for larger deployments
- You want maximum control over hosting and infrastructure
- You need advanced call reporting and wallboards
- You have a partner (like ITelecoms) managing the system for you
- You want a free tier to test before committing
- Your team uses Linux desktops
Choose either if:
- You need SIP trunk flexibility
- You want Microsoft Teams integration
- You need CRM integrations
- You want a mix of cloud and on-premise deployment
Can ITelecoms Help?
Yes. We’re certified partners for both Yeastar and 3CX. We don’t push one platform over the other — we recommend the right system for your specific needs, deploy it, and manage it ongoing.
Whether you choose Yeastar Cloud PBX or 3CX, we handle setup, SIP trunking, number porting, CRM integration, and support.
Contact us for a free consultation — we’ll assess your requirements and recommend the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Yeastar to 3CX (or vice versa)?
Yes. Phone numbers can be ported between systems via your SIP trunk provider. User configurations need to be recreated, but it’s a straightforward migration.
Which has better call quality?
Both use the same SIP/RTP protocols and support HD codecs. Call quality depends on your SIP trunk provider and internet connection, not the PBX platform. With a good provider, both deliver excellent quality.
Is Yeastar more expensive than 3CX?
For licensing, yes — Yeastar’s per-user model costs more as you scale. But Yeastar includes more features at each tier, so the total cost comparison depends on which 3CX licence level you need.
Do both work with desk phones?
Yes. Both support standard SIP phones from Yealink, Fanvil, Grandstream, Poly, and others. Both support auto-provisioning for zero-touch phone setup.
ITelecoms deploys both Yeastar and 3CX phone systems. Get in touch for honest advice on which platform fits your business.