FreePBX
Open-source web interface for building and managing an Asterisk-based business phone system.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Self-hosted, Web
Is FreePBX free?
Yes, free and open source
Switch from FreePBX to
All 4
AsteriskOpen source
- FuFusionPBX
Open source
FreeSWITCHOpen source
- Verified facts
- 3 of 3
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About FreePBX
FreePBX is a web-based control panel that sits on top of Asterisk, the open-source telephony engine, so you can run an office phone system without editing Asterisk configuration files by hand. Through the browser you set up extensions, SIP trunks, inbound routes, ring groups, IVR menus, voicemail and call recording, and it is built from modules you install and update individually. The core is open source under the GPL and free to self-host; Sangoma, which maintains the project, sells commercial modules such as endpoint provisioning and paid support, and offers PBXact as a commercial appliance and cloud edition built on it. Version 17 installs on Debian with an official script. It suits IT staff, small businesses and VoIP resellers who want full control of their PBX on their own server or VM, but it still expects telephony knowledge, and you are responsible for security and updates.
Best for: IT teams and VoIP resellers who want a free, self-hosted Asterisk PBX managed from a browser.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free, open-source GUI that hides most of Asterisk's configuration files
- Modular, with a large community forum and long track record
- Commercial modules and support available from Sangoma if needed
Why people leave
- Needs telephony and Linux knowledge to set up and keep secure
- Some useful features, such as endpoint manager, are paid commercial modules
- Upgrades between major versions can break modules
FreePBX vs Asterisk, FusionPBX and FreeSWITCH
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | FreePBX | Asterisk | FusionPBX | FreeSWITCH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Open source | Open source |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Self-hosted, Web | Linux, Self-hosted | Linux, Self-hosted | Linux, Self-hosted |
Top FreePBX alternatives
See all 4- 1Asterisk66.5
The engine underneath FreePBX; configure it directly if you want no GUI layer at all.
- 2FuFusionPBX62.6
Open-source multi-tenant web GUI built on FreeSWITCH instead of Asterisk.
- 3FreeSWITCH61.8
Scalable open-source telephony engine for custom voice platforms, without a bundled GUI.
- 4RiRingCentral RingEX59.4
Fully hosted business phone service, so there is no PBX server to maintain.
Why people left FreePBX
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from FreePBX, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers
Write a review of FreePBX
FreePBX: common questions
What is FreePBX?
FreePBX: Open-source web interface for building and managing an Asterisk-based business phone system. Best for IT teams and VoIP resellers who want a free, self-hosted Asterisk PBX managed from a browser. Available for Web, and you can host it yourself.
Is FreePBX free?
Yes. FreePBX is free, open-source software.
Is FreePBX open source?
No, FreePBX is not open source.
What platforms does FreePBX run on?
FreePBX is available for Self-hosted and Web.
What are the best alternatives to FreePBX?
The highest-ranked FreePBX alternatives right now are Asterisk, FusionPBX and FreeSWITCH. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
FreePBX vs Asterisk: what's the difference?
Both FreePBX and Asterisk are free and open source. Only FreePBX runs on Web. Only Asterisk runs on Linux.