3CX vs Microsoft Teams Phone
Short answer: 3CX usually wins for serious telephony and value (it's licensed per call, not per user), while Microsoft Teams Phone suits teams already deep in Microsoft 365 with simple calling needs. Here's an honest breakdown.
The quick verdict
Both are capable, but they're built for different priorities. 3CX is a dedicated business phone and unified-communications platform — its strength is call handling: queues, IVR, contact-centre tools and flexible routing, at a lower cost for phone-heavy teams. Microsoft Teams Phone adds calling to Teams — its strength is being native to the Microsoft 365 world your staff may already use.
Where 3CX is stronger
- Cost for phone-heavy teams — licensed per simultaneous call, so you don't pay per user. See per-line vs per-user pricing.
- Call handling — advanced IVR, queues, hunt groups and routing as standard.
- Contact centre & omnichannel — live chat, WhatsApp, Facebook and SMS in one place.
- Flexibility — keep your numbers, use any SIP provider, run cloud or on-premise.
Where Microsoft Teams Phone is stronger
- Microsoft-native — calling lives inside Teams, where your staff may already work.
- Simplicity — if your calling needs are basic and you're all-in on Microsoft 365.
- Single vendor — one bill and login if you're already a Microsoft shop.
The good news: you don't have to choose blindly
3CX integrates with Microsoft 365 and supports Teams Direct Routing, so you can keep Teams for collaboration while 3CX handles the phones. WiseCloud is an authorised 3CX partner and can help you weigh it up for your business — see our cloud phone system or what is 3CX.
3CX and Microsoft Teams are trademarks of their respective owners. This comparison is provided for general information by WiseCloud, an authorised 3CX partner.
3CX vs Teams Phone — quick answers
Is 3CX better than Microsoft Teams Phone?
3CX is generally stronger for telephony — call queues, IVR, contact-centre features and flexible call routing — and is often cheaper because it is licensed per simultaneous call rather than per user. Microsoft Teams Phone is a better fit if you are deeply invested in Microsoft 365 and want calling inside Teams. Many businesses are better served by 3CX for serious call handling.
Is 3CX cheaper than Microsoft Teams Phone?
Usually, yes. Teams Phone typically requires a per-user calling plan or licence add-on for every user, while 3CX is licensed by simultaneous calls, so you do not pay for every staff member. For phone-heavy teams this often makes 3CX significantly cheaper.
Can 3CX integrate with Microsoft 365 and Teams?
Yes. 3CX integrates with Microsoft 365 for user sync and single sign-on, and supports Teams Direct Routing on its higher tiers, so you can keep using Teams while 3CX handles the telephony.
Which should a small business choose?
If you mainly need a capable, affordable business phone system with proper call handling, 3CX is usually the better value. If your team already lives in Microsoft Teams and your calling needs are simple, Teams Phone can be convenient. WiseCloud can help you decide.
Not sure which fits your business?
Talk to a local authorised 3CX partner. We'll give you honest advice — including when Teams Phone is the right call.