The FusionPBX Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about FusionPBX in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
FusionPBX
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source multi-tenant PBX built on FreeSWITCH
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among business phone systems, read from FusionPBX’s own pages.
Made by FusionPBX · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from FusionPBX’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on FusionPBX’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.0
GPA, above 28 of the 77 other business phone systems we grade
FusionPBX is an open-source phone system with a web interface, built on the FreeSWITCH softswitch. It runs on your own server as a single PBX or a multi-tenant host, with call center, fax, voicemail and conferencing. The software is free; paid memberships add training, support hours and some extra applications.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about FusionPBX, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Self-hosting on your own server with installer scripts.
- 1
Best for a phone system you host yourself
FusionPBX is an open-source phone system on FreeSWITCH, and the software costs nothing.
- 2
Paid plans start at $100 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $100 per month (Green membership, optional).
- 3
There is a free plan
The FusionPBX software is free to download and install on your own server, with a free account for bug reports and public documentation.
- 4
It runs on Web
Web.
- 5
Multi-tenant PBX
Runs as a single-domain PBX or a domain-based multi-tenant system, which hosting providers use to serve many customers.
- 6
Built on FreeSWITCH
Provides unlimited extensions, voicemail-to-email, call parking, call queues, a call center and phone provisioning.
- 7
Browser phone and call transcription
Version 5.6 release notes list a WebRTC browser-based phone and a feature to transcribe and summarize calls.
- 8
A 2.0 GPA, above 28 of 77
That is against the other business phone systems we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace FusionPBX you would be making phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
FusionPBX at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $100 per month (Green membership, optional)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- FusionPBX
- Category
- Business Phone Systems
- Our grade
- 2.0 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for a phone system you host yourself
FusionPBX is an open-source phone system on FreeSWITCH, and the software costs nothing. But you host and maintain the server, and support, call center reporting and the REST API are sold as monthly memberships from $100 to $1,000.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Software that is only free if you host it yourself is a C. Memberships run $100 to $1,000 a month, per individual, for training and support hours. |
| Free plan and trial | B | The software is free to download with community help only, so one person could live on it, but you need your own server. |
| Features | C | Multi-tenant PBX, voicemail, fax, conferencing and a browser phone, with call center reporting, wallboard and the API held back for the $500 and $1,000 memberships. |
| Ease of use | D | Self-hosting on your own server with installer scripts. There's no rating on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Web interface only, with 3 integrations on record. It sells no calling service or phone numbers. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who FusionPBX is for
- Fits if you can run a Linux server and want to own your phone system
- Works for hosts who want one multi-tenant PBX for many customers
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you don't want to run a server, as you host and maintain it yourself
- Tight if you need official support, which is sold in monthly hours from $300
- Pricey if you want call center tools or the API: those sit on the $500 and $1,000 memberships
- Watch out: it sells no phone numbers or calling, so you need a separate provider
- Watch out: memberships are per individual, and Gold covers 3 employees
Good to know
Good for
- Hosting providers that want to run a white-label multi-tenant PBX
- IT teams comfortable administering Linux servers and SIP trunks
Worth knowing
- You host and maintain the server yourself; the project does not sell calling service or phone numbers.
- Official support is sold in monthly hours through membership levels; the free software comes with community channels only.
- Call center reporting, wallboard and the REST API are member applications at the Purple and Gold levels.
- Memberships are per individual; Gold covers up to three employees.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$100
A month to start. There is a free plan too
FusionPBX has a free plan. Paid plans start at $100 per month (Green membership, optional).
Software that is only free if you host it yourself is a C.
FusionPBX software
$0
Open-source PBX you install and host yourself; no support hours included.
Green membership
$100
per month, one individual
Training videos, member documentation, rebranding guide and member apps; no support hours.
Blue membership
$300
per month, one individual
Green benefits plus up to 1.5 hours of official support a month.
Purple membership
$500
per month, one individual
Up to 3 hours of priority support a month, plus the advanced call center applications.
Gold membership
$1,000
per month, up to 3 employees
Up to 6 hours of priority support a month, the REST API and the Purple call center applications.
The free plan
The FusionPBX software is free to download and install on your own server, with a free account for bug reports and public documentation.
Read from fusionpbx.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Open-source multi-tenant PBX built on FreeSWITCH. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, self-hostable, public API, transcription, business phone line, online fax.
It sells no calling service or phone numbers.
- Multi-tenant PBX
- Runs as a single-domain PBX or a domain-based multi-tenant system, which hosting providers use to serve many customers.
- Built on FreeSWITCH
- Provides unlimited extensions, voicemail-to-email, call parking, call queues, a call center and phone provisioning.
- Browser phone and call transcription
- Version 5.6 release notes list a WebRTC browser-based phone and a feature to transcribe and summarize calls.
- Fax, conferencing and voicemail
- The same server acts as a fax, voicemail and conference server alongside voice.
- Installer scripts
- Install scripts are provided for Debian and Ubuntu, with FreeBSD and Raspberry Pi OS also covered; Debian 12 or 13 is recommended.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- FreeSWITCH
- PostgreSQL
- NGINX
FusionPBX is made by FusionPBX.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
28/77
Other business phone systems it is graded above
FusionPBX's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 28 of the 77 other business phone systems we grade, and level with 18.
It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 72 of 77) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $100 a month, against a middle price of $19 for the category: 47 of the 49 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. 46 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 78 business phone systems we grade, cut by the letter each got. FusionPBX’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 7 of 77
- BFree plan and trialAbove 72 of 77
- CFeaturesAbove 9 of 77
- DEase of useAbove 0 of 77
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 1 of 77
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 51 business phone systems. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. FusionPBX is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace FusionPBX you would be making phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $1,200 a year. FusionPBX is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.
What you could not
- Phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network.
- Fax numbers connected to the phone network.
- Speech turned into text you can trust.
- It plugs into other products, FreeSWITCH, PostgreSQL and NGINX among them, and has an API.
What this rests on. FusionPBX’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
FreePBX, VitalPBX, Yeastar and Vodia
The 4 tools FusionPBX is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.0GPA
FreePBX
Free
Open-source web interface for managing an Asterisk phone system.
- FusionPBX also covers transcription and online fax.
- 2.4GPA
VitalPBX
Free plan · from $225/yr
Asterisk-based PBX you install on your own server or VPS.
- Only VitalPBX lists Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- FusionPBX is open source, according to its own site.
- VitalPBX can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
Yeastar
Free trial
P-Series PBX in cloud, software or appliance editions.
- FusionPBX has a free plan. Yeastar does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Yeastar lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- Only Yeastar lists a browser extension.
- 1.8GPA
Vodia
Paid
Multi-tenant PBX platform for businesses and service providers.
- FusionPBX has a free plan. Vodia does not.
- Only Vodia lists iOS and Android apps.
- FusionPBX is open source, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is FusionPBX free?
FusionPBX has a free plan. The FusionPBX software is free to download and install on your own server, with a free account for bug reports and public documentation.
How much does FusionPBX cost?
FusionPBX lists 5 plans. FusionPBX software: $0.
What platforms does FusionPBX work on?
FusionPBX is available on Web.
Does FusionPBX have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. FusionPBX is listed for Web.
Does FusionPBX have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. FusionPBX is listed for Web.
Is FusionPBX open source?
Yes. FusionPBX is open source, according to its own site.
Does FusionPBX have an API?
Yes. FusionPBX offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does FusionPBX integrate with?
FusionPBX's listing names FreeSWITCH, PostgreSQL and NGINX. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes FusionPBX?
FusionPBX is made by a company of the same name.
What are the alternatives to FusionPBX?
The closest alternatives to FusionPBX in our directory are FreePBX, VitalPBX, Yeastar and Vodia.
How does FusionPBX compare with other business phone systems?
FusionPBX's GPA of 2.0 is higher than 28 of the 77 other business phone systems we grade, and level with 18.
Is FusionPBX good value for money?
ToolGPA grades FusionPBX C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $100 a month, against a middle price of $19 for the category: 47 of the 49 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of FusionPBX?
To replace FusionPBX you would be making phone numbers and calls carried over the phone network.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from FusionPBX’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from FusionPBX's own pages on 13 November 2026; its pages would not load when we re-checked, so the grades rest on the listing. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by FusionPBX. Prices change, so check fusionpbx.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- FusionPBX, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/fusionpbx
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "FusionPBX: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/fusionpbx
Know someone choosing between business phone systems?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/fusionpbx/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded business phone systems after FusionPBX, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Business Phone Systems Insider's GuideEvery one of the 78 business phone systems we grade, compared
- Zadarma Insider's GuideCloud PBX and virtual numbers in 110+ countries, free to start3.2 GPA
- Grasshopper Insider's GuideVirtual business number on your own phone, priced per account3.0 GPA
- RingCentral Insider's GuideCloud phone system with texting, fax, video meetings and team chat3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what FusionPBX’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. FusionPBX is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by FusionPBX. Prices and plans change: check fusionpbx.com before you buy.