Quick Overview
- 1#1: VICIdial - Open-source contact center platform with predictive dialing, inbound/outbound campaigns, CRM integration, and real-time agent monitoring.
- 2#2: 3CX - Free edition software PBX offering call queues, IVR, wallboards, call recording, and reporting for small call centers.
- 3#3: FreePBX - Open-source GUI for Asterisk PBX with affordable modules for call center queues, reporting, and agent management.
- 4#4: VitalPBX - Affordable commercial PBX with advanced call center features like skills-based routing, BLF, and analytics.
- 5#5: Issabel - Free open-source unified communications server featuring call center modules, CRM integration, and conference tools.
- 6#6: Freshcaller - Cloud call center software starting at $15/agent/month with IVR, skills-based routing, and conversation intelligence.
- 7#7: MightyCall - Budget-friendly virtual phone system for small teams with call queues, monitoring, and mobile apps.
- 8#8: FusionPBX - Multi-tenant open-source PBX based on FreeSWITCH supporting call centers with ACD, recording, and failover.
- 9#9: Wazo - Open-source communication platform with call center tools including queues, statistics, and WebRTC support.
- 10#10: CloudTalk - Cloud-based call center solution from $25/user/month with smart dialer, power dialer, and AI call transcription.
Tools were selected based on a blend of robust functionality (including predictive dialing, CRM integration, and advanced routing), user-friendly design, reliability, and overall cost-effectiveness, ensuring a comprehensive guide for informed decision-making.
Comparison Table
This comparison table highlights affordable call center software options, including VICIdial, 3CX, FreePBX, VitalPBX, Issabel, and more. Readers will discover key features, pricing nuances, and use case relevance to find the right fit for their operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VICIdial Open-source contact center platform with predictive dialing, inbound/outbound campaigns, CRM integration, and real-time agent monitoring. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 4.5/10 | 10/10 |
| 2 | 3CX Free edition software PBX offering call queues, IVR, wallboards, call recording, and reporting for small call centers. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | FreePBX Open-source GUI for Asterisk PBX with affordable modules for call center queues, reporting, and agent management. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | VitalPBX Affordable commercial PBX with advanced call center features like skills-based routing, BLF, and analytics. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 5 | Issabel Free open-source unified communications server featuring call center modules, CRM integration, and conference tools. | enterprise | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 6.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Freshcaller Cloud call center software starting at $15/agent/month with IVR, skills-based routing, and conversation intelligence. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 7 | MightyCall Budget-friendly virtual phone system for small teams with call queues, monitoring, and mobile apps. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | FusionPBX Multi-tenant open-source PBX based on FreeSWITCH supporting call centers with ACD, recording, and failover. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.3/10 | 5.8/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 9 | Wazo Open-source communication platform with call center tools including queues, statistics, and WebRTC support. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 10 | CloudTalk Cloud-based call center solution from $25/user/month with smart dialer, power dialer, and AI call transcription. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 |
Open-source contact center platform with predictive dialing, inbound/outbound campaigns, CRM integration, and real-time agent monitoring.
Free edition software PBX offering call queues, IVR, wallboards, call recording, and reporting for small call centers.
Open-source GUI for Asterisk PBX with affordable modules for call center queues, reporting, and agent management.
Affordable commercial PBX with advanced call center features like skills-based routing, BLF, and analytics.
Free open-source unified communications server featuring call center modules, CRM integration, and conference tools.
Cloud call center software starting at $15/agent/month with IVR, skills-based routing, and conversation intelligence.
Budget-friendly virtual phone system for small teams with call queues, monitoring, and mobile apps.
Multi-tenant open-source PBX based on FreeSWITCH supporting call centers with ACD, recording, and failover.
Open-source communication platform with call center tools including queues, statistics, and WebRTC support.
Cloud-based call center solution from $25/user/month with smart dialer, power dialer, and AI call transcription.
VICIdial
enterpriseOpen-source contact center platform with predictive dialing, inbound/outbound campaigns, CRM integration, and real-time agent monitoring.
Fully configurable open-source predictive dialer that rivals expensive proprietary systems
VICIdial is a free, open-source call center software suite built on Asterisk PBX, designed for inbound, outbound, and blended campaigns with predictive dialing capabilities. It provides comprehensive agent interfaces, CRM integration, real-time reporting, call recording, and VoIP management for high-volume operations. Highly scalable, it supports everything from small teams to enterprise-level deployments without licensing costs.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing fees
- Enterprise-grade features like predictive dialing and advanced reporting
- Highly customizable and scalable for any size operation
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring Linux/Asterisk expertise
- Outdated, clunky web interface
- Limited official support; relies on community forums
Best For
Cost-conscious startups, SMBs, or tech-savvy teams needing powerful, scalable call center functionality without ongoing software costs.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional paid hosting, support, or VICIdial Group services starting at custom quotes.
3CX
enterpriseFree edition software PBX offering call queues, IVR, wallboards, call recording, and reporting for small call centers.
Fully browser-based softphone and management interface with no client software installation required
3CX is a versatile software-based PBX and unified communications platform offering robust call center capabilities such as ACD queues, IVR menus, call recording, real-time wallboards, and CRM integrations. It supports flexible deployments including self-hosted on-premise, cloud-hosted, or partner-hosted options, making it suitable for businesses aiming to minimize costs. With a free edition for small teams and scalable licensing based on simultaneous calls, it's a popular choice for budget-conscious call centers seeking enterprise-grade features without high recurring fees.
Pros
- Highly affordable perpetual licensing per simultaneous call
- Comprehensive call center tools including queues, reporting, and power dialer
- Flexible deployment options and strong integrations with CRMs like Salesforce
Cons
- Self-hosting requires Linux/server expertise and maintenance
- Past security vulnerabilities have raised reliability concerns
- Free edition limited to 10 simultaneous calls with fewer advanced features
Best For
Small to medium businesses needing a cost-effective, feature-rich call center solution with scalable PBX functionality.
Pricing
Free Standard edition up to 10 simultaneous calls; Pro/Enterprise perpetual licenses start at ~$150 per SC + optional annual maintenance (~20% of license cost); cloud hosting from ~$100/year per SC.
FreePBX
enterpriseOpen-source GUI for Asterisk PBX with affordable modules for call center queues, reporting, and agent management.
Modular ecosystem with free/premium extensions for advanced queue management and real-time dashboards
FreePBX is a free, open-source web-based GUI for the Asterisk PBX platform, enabling users to build and manage VoIP telephony systems. It provides essential call center features like ACD queues, IVR menus, call recording, real-time monitoring, and reporting. Ideal for budget-conscious setups, it supports scalability from small teams to larger operations with modular extensions.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core with no licensing fees
- Highly customizable via extensive module marketplace
- Robust call center tools including queues, agent login/logout, and CDR reporting
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring Linux and telephony knowledge
- Self-hosted setup demands ongoing server maintenance
- Community support only; commercial add-ons extra cost
Best For
Tech-savvy small to medium businesses or IT teams seeking a highly customizable, no-cost call center PBX.
Pricing
Free core software; costs for hosting (~$5-50/month), hardware, and optional commercial modules/support ($100s/year).
VitalPBX
enterpriseAffordable commercial PBX with advanced call center features like skills-based routing, BLF, and analytics.
Call Center Pro module with advanced real-time wallboards and agent productivity analytics
VitalPBX is an open-source PBX system based on Asterisk, tailored for businesses needing affordable call center solutions with features like ACD queues, IVR, call recording, real-time wallboards, and agent monitoring. It supports scalable deployments for handling high call volumes while integrating with CRMs and offering detailed reporting. As a cost-effective alternative to cloud-heavy competitors, it emphasizes on-premise control and customization through modular add-ons.
Pros
- Extremely cost-effective with a free community edition and low one-time licensing fees
- Robust call center tools including queues, wallboards, and performance analytics
- Highly customizable with open-source flexibility and modular extensions
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and management, requiring Linux/server expertise
- Primarily on-premise focused, with less seamless cloud scalability
- Paid support and advanced modules needed for enterprise-grade reliability
Best For
Budget-conscious small to medium call centers needing powerful on-premise telephony without recurring cloud fees.
Pricing
Free Community Edition; perpetual licenses for Standard ($295+) and Enterprise editions, plus optional modules (~$100-500) and cloud hosting from $10/month.
Issabel
enterpriseFree open-source unified communications server featuring call center modules, CRM integration, and conference tools.
Built-in Call Center module with real-time agent monitoring, wallboards, and performance analytics
Issabel is a free, open-source PBX platform forked from FreePBX and based on Asterisk, delivering essential call center capabilities including queue management, IVR systems, call recording, agent monitoring, and real-time reporting. It features a user-friendly web-based GUI for configuration, supporting on-premises deployment for small to medium-sized operations. Ideal for budget-conscious teams, it allows customization and integration with CRMs without licensing costs.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing fees
- Robust call center tools like queues, recording, and dashboards
- Highly customizable with Asterisk extensibility
Cons
- Steep learning curve for installation and advanced setup
- Requires self-hosting and technical maintenance
- Community support only, no official enterprise helpdesk
Best For
Small businesses or startups seeking a no-cost, self-hosted call center solution with solid telephony features.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional paid modules, support, or cloud hosting from partners.
Freshcaller
enterpriseCloud call center software starting at $15/agent/month with IVR, skills-based routing, and conversation intelligence.
Global cloud phone numbers in 90+ countries for instant local presence without international hardware.
Freshcaller is a cloud-based VoIP call center software from Freshworks that enables businesses to set up virtual phone systems with features like IVR, intelligent call routing, call recording, and real-time analytics. It supports omnichannel communication including voice calls, SMS, and web chat, making it suitable for inbound and outbound contact centers. Designed for quick deployment without hardware, it integrates seamlessly with the Freshworks ecosystem for enhanced customer support workflows.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with a free tier for starters
- Intuitive interface and rapid setup in minutes
- Strong omnichannel support including voice, SMS, and chat
Cons
- Free plan has significant limitations on features and agents
- Advanced reporting and AI features locked behind Enterprise plan
- Integrations outside Freshworks ecosystem can be basic
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy, low-cost cloud call center solution to handle customer calls and chats without hardware investments.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 10 agents with basics; Pro at $15/agent/month; Enterprise at $49/agent/month (billed annually).
MightyCall
enterpriseBudget-friendly virtual phone system for small teams with call queues, monitoring, and mobile apps.
Visual Call Flow Designer for drag-and-drop IVR and routing customization
MightyCall is a cloud-based VoIP phone system tailored for small businesses, offering virtual phone numbers, call routing, IVR menus, and basic call center features like queues and monitoring. It enables teams to manage inbound and outbound calls efficiently without hardware investments, with tools for recording, transcription, and analytics. As a budget-friendly option, it suits entry-level call center needs but may lack depth for high-volume operations.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing with unlimited US/Canada calling
- Quick setup with intuitive visual call flow builder
- Reliable mobile and desktop apps for remote teams
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting for large-scale centers
- Fewer integrations than enterprise competitors
- Scalability issues for teams over 50 agents
Best For
Small businesses and startups needing a cost-effective, no-hardware call center setup for basic inbound/outbound operations.
Pricing
Starts at $20/user/month (Core plan) up to $30/user/month (Pro), billed annually; unlimited minutes in US/Canada.
FusionPBX
enterpriseMulti-tenant open-source PBX based on FreeSWITCH supporting call centers with ACD, recording, and failover.
Multi-tenant architecture with FreeSWITCH core for unlimited scalability and high-performance call handling without per-user fees
FusionPBX is a free, open-source multi-tenant PBX and unified communications platform powered by FreeSWITCH, designed for VoIP telephony including call centers. It offers features like agent queues, IVR systems, call recording, real-time dashboards, and predictive dialing for handling inbound/outbound calls efficiently. As a cost-effective alternative to proprietary software, it scales from small teams to enterprise-level deployments with custom modules.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing fees
- Highly customizable for call center workflows like queues and monitoring
- Scalable performance handling thousands of concurrent calls
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring Linux and telephony expertise
- Complex initial setup and configuration
- Limited native integrations compared to commercial tools
Best For
Tech-savvy small to medium-sized businesses or IT teams seeking a powerful, no-cost PBX for basic to advanced call center operations.
Pricing
Free open-source; optional paid support or hosting starts at ~$10/month, plus server hardware costs.
Wazo
enterpriseOpen-source communication platform with call center tools including queues, statistics, and WebRTC support.
Fully open-source architecture enabling unlimited customization without vendor lock-in
Wazo (wazo.io) is an open-source unified communications platform designed for building scalable contact centers with features like ACD queues, IVR, call recording, real-time agent monitoring, and advanced reporting. It supports skills-based routing, wallboards, and integrations with CRM systems, all deployable on-premises or in the cloud. As a cost-effective alternative to proprietary solutions, it emphasizes flexibility and customization for tech-savvy users.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core with no licensing fees
- Highly customizable and scalable for growing call centers
- Robust contact center tools including skills-based routing and analytics
Cons
- Requires technical expertise for installation and maintenance
- Steep learning curve and complex configuration
- Limited pre-built integrations and support compared to SaaS options
Best For
Tech-savvy IT teams or small businesses needing a highly customizable, self-hosted contact center on a tight budget.
Pricing
Free open-source platform; optional paid enterprise support, professional services, and hosted options starting around €50/user/month.
CloudTalk
enterpriseCloud-based call center solution from $25/user/month with smart dialer, power dialer, and AI call transcription.
AI-powered Smart Dialer that boosts agent productivity by automating outbound calling sequences
CloudTalk is a cloud-based VoIP call center software offering intelligent call routing, IVR, call recording, and real-time analytics for sales and support teams. It supports seamless integrations with CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive, enabling efficient agent workflows. With pay-per-minute or flat-rate pricing, it's positioned as an affordable option for growing businesses needing scalable contact center capabilities.
Pros
- Flexible pay-per-minute or unlimited plans keep costs low for variable call volumes
- Robust CRM integrations streamline customer data access
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile app support
Cons
- Limited advanced queue management compared to enterprise tools
- Reporting lacks deep customization without add-ons
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Small to medium businesses with moderate call volumes seeking affordable, integration-rich call center software without complex enterprise features.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go from $0.0085/min inbound/$0.014/min outbound, or unlimited plans starting at $25/agent/month (billed annually).
Conclusion
The best cheap call center software caters to diverse needs, from open-source flexibility to budget-friendly cloud solutions. VICIdial leads as the top choice, excelling with its robust predictive dialing and campaign tools, while 3CX and FreePBX stand out as reliable alternatives—3CX for small teams needing user-friendly IVR and call queues, and FreePBX for customizable Asterisk setups. All options balance affordability with functionality, ensuring there’s a fit for nearly every operation.
Explore the top-ranked VICIdial to unlock its full toolkit, or consider 3CX or FreePBX if your needs lean toward simplicity or open-source customization—each offers a smart path to enhancing call center efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison