3CX Free Edition Shake-Up: What South African Businesses Need to Know

The 3CX landscape is changing, and South African businesses utilizing the 3CX Free Edition need to be aware of significant updates. As of August 1st, 2024, 3CX V18 FREE has been adjusted, now supporting a maximum of 4 users instead of the previous 10.
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Why the Change & What It Means

This adjustment, as outlined in a recent 3CX community post https://www.3cx.com/community/threads/keeping-your-3cx-free-edition-free.128358/, is part of 3CX’s ongoing evolution. While the free edition remains a valuable option for smaller operations, it’s crucial to understand that those remaining on V18 FREE will no longer receive critical security or product updates. This leaves businesses vulnerable to potential risks and limits their access to the latest features and improvements.

Navigating Your Options

3CX is offering several pathways to ensure your business communication remains seamless and secure:

  1. Upgrade to V20 FREE: This is the most straightforward option for those wanting to maintain their free 3CX experience. The upgrade process is relatively simple and allows businesses to continue using 3CX with up to 10 users, with the added benefit of receiving ongoing updates.
  2. Upgrade to 4SC PRO on V18: For businesses requiring more advanced features or support for a larger team, upgrading to the 4SC PRO license on V18 is an alternative. However, it’s important to note that this incurs a cost and requires some IT knowledge.
  3. Switch to 3CX SMB: Ideal for smaller businesses with minimal IT resources, 3CX SMB is a free shared hosting option that supports up to 10 users. This could be a viable solution, but keep in mind that it doesn’t include dedicated support from 3CX.

Choosing the Right Path for Your Business

Each of these options presents different benefits and considerations. The best choice will depend on your company’s specific needs, size, and technical capabilities.

  • If you’re a small business with basic communication needs and limited IT resources: 3CX SMB or upgrading to V20 FREE might be the most suitable options.
  • If you require more advanced features, scalability, or dedicated support: Consider upgrading to 4SC PRO or exploring alternative solutions.

The Bottom Line

The recent changes to 3CX Free Edition highlight the importance of regularly reviewing and adapting your business communication solutions. Whether you choose to upgrade, switch platforms, or explore other options, prioritize security, functionality, and scalability to ensure your business stays connected and thrives in the digital age.

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