At a glance
| Hosted 3CX (Pacific VoIP) | RingCentral | Microsoft Teams Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | By simultaneous calls; unlimited users | Per user per month | Per user per month, plus calling plan |
| 2026 published price | About $26/user for 10 users, all in | About C$30 to $45/user | $13.60/user + calling ($23.10 with domestic plan) |
| Your own private system | Yes | No, shared platform | No, shared platform |
| Data in Canada | Yes, Canadian server | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Desk phone choice | Almost any SIP phone | Certified list | Teams-certified phones |
| Queues and wallboards | Included in Pro | Higher tiers | Extra licences |
| Local setup and installers | Yes | Self-serve or partner | Partner |
Hosted 3CX
3CX is a full-featured business phone system that you can run privately. Because the licence is priced by simultaneous calls, adding staff barely changes the bill. It works with nearly every desk phone brand and has good apps. The trade-off: it needs someone to set it up and look after it, which is what we do.
RingCentral
RingCentral is a large, polished cloud platform with strong apps and integrations. You pay per user, and advanced features like AI and larger queues sit in higher tiers. It is a good fit if you want a big-brand self-serve platform and do not mind per-user pricing.
Microsoft Teams Phone
If everyone already lives in Teams, adding calling feels natural. But you pay per user for Teams Phone plus a calling plan, and reception features are more limited than a dedicated PBX. Many businesses get the best of both by connecting 3CX to Teams; see Teams calling.
Which should you choose?
- Under 5 users, all self-serve: any of the three will work.
- 5 to 250 users, want local help and lower cost as you grow: hosted 3CX.
- Everyone in Teams, few external calls: Teams Phone, or 3CX with the Teams integration.
Competitor prices are published list prices found in 2026 and can change. Check each provider for current offers.
Quick answers
Is 3CX cheaper than RingCentral?
For most teams over about eight people, yes, because 3CX is licensed by simultaneous calls rather than per user.
Can I use 3CX with Microsoft Teams?
Yes. 3CX integrates with Microsoft 365 and Teams.