Are you tired of rigid, overpriced phone systems that don’t scale with your business?
Then you’re in luck: Asterisk-based PBX delivers a flexible, enterprise-grade telephony solution, powered by open-source innovation.
Built for Voice over IP (VoIP), Asterisk gives you complete control, eliminating the need for expensive proprietary hardware or locked-in contracts.
Whether you’re a growing startup or a midsize company, this type of communication system adapts to your needs with advanced call routing, conferencing, IVR, and more.
If you’re worried about this solution not being able to handle your business, take a deep breath: Asterisk handles 160+ concurrent calls with under 5% blocking while maintaining crystal-clear voice quality, ensuring seamless communication even at peak demand.
Sounds good? So, let’s explore how to choose the best Asterisk-based PBX for your company.
Choosing the Best Asterisk-based PBX for Your Company
Asterisk-based PBX offers businesses a flexible, cost-effective phone system with enterprise-grade features, including messaging, without the high costs of traditional PBX solutions.
Click here to recap what is a PBX system!
Whether you need call routing, IVR, voicemail, conference calling, or other add-on features, Asterisk-powered systems provide customizable options. To select the best solution, follow these steps:
- Assess your company’s needs
- Look for providers
- Compare options and consider pricing
- Ask about hosting
- Check reviews and reputations
Assess your company’s needs
Lay the foundation for success by defining your requirements. Before investing in an Asterisk-based PBX, take time to evaluate these critical factors:
- User base and call volume: Will you handle more than 50 concurrent calls or need enterprise-scale capacity?
- Must-have features: Prioritize between IVR menus, call recording, CRM integrations, or cutting-edge AI tools like ChatGPT.
- Infrastructure preferences: Cloud-hosted for simplicity, on-premise for control, or hybrid for flexibility.
Look for providers
Navigate the Asterisk ecosystem with confidence. These battle-tested solutions lead the market:
- Incredible PBX: Best for VoIP.ms integration, AI tools, and ultra-low-cost cloud setups.
- FreePBX: Open-source, with strong community support and add-ons.
- 3CX: User-friendly solution that offers complete unified communications.
If you use VoIP.ms for SIP trunking, Incredible PBX is pre-optimized for seamless setup. Click here to learn more!
Compare options and consider pricing
Smart evaluation prevents budget surprises. Use a quick comparison to weigh your options for business communication, like open-source compatibility, providers supported, integrations, cloud hosting, and ease of setup.
RELATED: What is the cost of VoIP for small business?
Ask about hosting
Your deployment environment impacts performance and costs. Asterisk PBX can be deployed on:
- Cloud (AWS, Google Cloud, CrownCloud): Best for scalability.
- On-premise servers: More control, but requires IT maintenance.
- Virtual machines: Balances cost and flexibility.
Check reviews and reputation
Let real user experiences guide your decision. Conduct due diligence by:
- Scouring VoIP forums for unfiltered opinions
- Testing support response times
- Validating uptime claims
Watch below the VoIP.ms & VitalPBX Webinar for real-world insights:
What is Asterisk-based PBX?
Asterisk-based PBX is an open-source phone system that powers VoIP communications for businesses of all sizes. Unlike traditional PBX hardware, it offers cost savings, flexibility (you can integrate it to softphones and use your system anywhere), and advanced features.
Built on the Asterisk framework, it supports solutions like FreePBX and Incredible PBX, each adding unique management tools or pre-configured options.
RELATED: Understanding PBX and Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Are FreePBX and Asterisk the same?
No. While tightly integrated, they serve fundamentally different roles. Asterisk is the core communications engine that processes calls and VoIP protocols, whereas FreePBX is a management interface that simplifies Asterisk’s configuration through a graphical dashboard.
Key distinctions:
| Aspect | Asterisk | FreePBX |
| Primary Role | Call processing engine | Management interface |
| Configuration | Text files | Web-based GUI |
| Skill Required | Advanced | Beginner-friendly |
| Customization | Unlimited (direct code access) | Limited to GUI options |
| Standalone Use | Yes | No (requires Asterisk) |
While Asterisk and FreePBX are distinct projects, they form a powerful combination that makes enterprise-grade telephony accessible to businesses of all sizes. Asterisk provides the raw power and flexibility, while FreePBX delivers the usability and management tools needed for day-to-day operations.
RELATED: A Guide for VoIP on Cell Phones (iOS and Android) to Boost Your Mobile Connectivity
Are Asterisk-based PBX and Cloud-PBX the same?
When evaluating business phone systems, it’s crucial to understand that Asterisk-based PBX and Cloud PBX represent fundamentally different concepts that often work together.
Let’s clarify this important distinction:
| Aspect | Asterisk-Based PBX | Cloud PBX |
| Definition | Open-source telephony engine that powers phone systems | Deployment model describing where/how PBX is hosted |
| Core Functionality | Provides call routing, voicemail, IVR, etc. | Managed service offering PBX functionality |
| Deployment Options | Can be deployed in any environment (cloud, on-premise, or hybrid) | Always cloud-hosted |
| Customization | Complete code access for full customization | Limited to provider’s offerings |
| Management | Self-managed (unless using hosted service) | Fully managed by provider |
| Hardware | May require on-site hardware for on-premise | No on-site PBX hardware needed |
| Pricing Model | Free software (costs for hardware/support) | Pay-as-you-go subscription pricing |
| Best For | Businesses needing customization/control | Companies wanting hands-off management |
Whether you choose cloud, on-premise, hybrid or IP PBX, Asterisk gives you the power to build a phone system tailored to your business needs – without vendor lock-in or excessive costs.
RELATED: On-Premise PBX or Cloud PBX?
How does open source PBX work?
Open source PBX systems represent a revolutionary approach to business telephony, offering flexibility, connectivity and cost savings compared to traditional proprietary solutions.
Learn more about open source PBX options on our Wiki page!
Unlike proprietary PBX solutions, it works through:
- Community-Driven Development
The core software (like Asterisk) is maintained by a global developer community, ensuring continuous improvements and security updates. All code changes are publicly visible, and vulnerabilities are quickly identified.
- Flexible Deployment
One of the most powerful advantages of open source PBX solutions is their unparalleled deployment flexibility. Unlike proprietary systems that lock you into specific hardware (like servers and even IP phones) or hosting models, open source PBX platforms can adapt to virtually any infrastructure need.
Here’s an in-depth look at your deployment options:
On-Premise Deployment
| Ideal for | Organizations with existing IT infrastructure Companies needing deep customization Businesses with strict compliance requirements |
| Pros | Complete system control No recurring hosting fees Unlimited customization options Better latency for local calls |
| Cons | Requires significant upfront investment Needs dedicated IT staff Physical security responsibilities Manual software updates |
Cloud-Hosted Deployment
| Best for | Businesses without dedicated IT staff Companies with remote teams Organizations needing instant scalability |
| Pros | No hardware investment Automatic software updates Global accessibility |
| Cons | Less control over upgrades Ongoing subscription costs Potential latency issues |
Hybrid Deployment: Best of Both Worlds
| Indicated for | Businesses transitioning to cloud Companies with mixed infrastructure Organizations needing burst capacity |
| Pros | Balanced cost structure Flexible scaling options Maintain some on-premise control |
| Cons | More complex monitoring Potential integration challenges Requires hybrid expertise |
- Cost Efficiency
Unlike proprietary systems that charge per user, open source PBX software is completely free to download and use. You only pay for your actual usage. It also scales affordably, avoiding per-user charges common in proprietary systems.
- Customization
Open source PBX solutions can be adapted to fit any business need:
Business Features
- Professional auto-attendants and IVR
- Call recording for quality monitoring
- Conference bridges for team meetings
- Voicemail-to-email transcription
RELATED: Everything you need to know about softphones for businesses
Easy Integrations
- Connect with CRM tools (perfect for call centers!)
- Works with email platforms and help desk software
- Links to productivity apps your team already uses
Specialized Adaptations
- Custom call routing for different departments
- Tailored reports showing exactly the metrics you need
- Automated alerts for important calls
Let VoIP.ms take care of all your communications needs
Choosing the right Asterisk-based PBX isn’t just about saving money. It’s about building a flexible, future-ready communication system tailored to your business.
Whether you prioritize low-cost cloud deployment, deep customization, or advanced integrations, there’s an Asterisk-powered solution to match your needs.
Choosing the right phone system for your business doesn’t have to be complicated, nor expensive. Start by assessing your goals, reviewing top providers, and deciding where you want to host your system.
With VoIP.ms’s Cloud-PBX solution, you get a powerful, hassle-free communications system powered by great VoIP service without needing a dedicated tech team or a large upfront investment.
Ready to upgrade your phone system? Talk to Sales and find the best solution for your business!