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FreePBX vs FreeSWITCH
July 29, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
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FreePBX is a web-based open source GUI (graphical user interface) that controls and manages Asterisk (PBX), an open source communication server. FreePBX is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL), an open source license.
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FreeSWITCH is a free and open-source telephony software for real-time communication protocols using audio, video, text and other forms of media.
FreePBX and FreeSWITCH are two popular open-source telephony platforms, but they serve different purposes and have distinct functionalities. Firstly, FreePBX is a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) that works on top of Asterisk, another open-source telephony platform. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing and configuring Asterisk, allowing users to set up and control various telephony features without delving into the complexities of the underlying code. FreePBX simplifies the process of creating and managing extensions, trunks, call routing rules, voicemail, and other essential PBX functionalities. In contrast, FreeSWITCH is a standalone telephony platform with its own built-in capabilities. It offers a modern and modular architecture that enables a wide range of multimedia processing tasks, such as voice and video calls, conferencing, and real-time media manipulation. FreeSWITCH provides more granular control over media processing, making it suitable for applications that require extensive multimedia handling and real-time communication.
Secondly, their underlying technologies and configurations differ significantly. FreePBX is built on top of Asterisk and uses Asterisk's dialplan language for call routing and feature configuration. It simplifies the setup process by providing a user-friendly GUI, which is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a visual interface over manually editing configuration files. On the other hand, FreeSWITCH uses XML-based configuration files and offers powerful scripting support, making it highly customizable and flexible for advanced users and developers. FreeSWITCH's modular architecture allows users to choose and enable only the necessary modules, which can optimize resource usage and increase performance for specific use cases.
Lastly, their target audiences and use cases vary. FreePBX is commonly used by small to medium-sized businesses and individuals who want an easy-to-use, all-in-one PBX management solution without the need to directly interact with Asterisk's underlying configuration files. It is an excellent choice for those who seek a straightforward telephony system with the added convenience of a graphical interface. In contrast, FreeSWITCH caters to users with more complex communication needs, such as large enterprises, service providers, and developers who require extensive multimedia handling and real-time media processing capabilities. FreeSWITCH's modularity and scalability make it well-suited for demanding applications like WebRTC, conferencing, and contact centers.
See also: Top 10 Business Phone systems
Secondly, their underlying technologies and configurations differ significantly. FreePBX is built on top of Asterisk and uses Asterisk's dialplan language for call routing and feature configuration. It simplifies the setup process by providing a user-friendly GUI, which is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a visual interface over manually editing configuration files. On the other hand, FreeSWITCH uses XML-based configuration files and offers powerful scripting support, making it highly customizable and flexible for advanced users and developers. FreeSWITCH's modular architecture allows users to choose and enable only the necessary modules, which can optimize resource usage and increase performance for specific use cases.
Lastly, their target audiences and use cases vary. FreePBX is commonly used by small to medium-sized businesses and individuals who want an easy-to-use, all-in-one PBX management solution without the need to directly interact with Asterisk's underlying configuration files. It is an excellent choice for those who seek a straightforward telephony system with the added convenience of a graphical interface. In contrast, FreeSWITCH caters to users with more complex communication needs, such as large enterprises, service providers, and developers who require extensive multimedia handling and real-time media processing capabilities. FreeSWITCH's modularity and scalability make it well-suited for demanding applications like WebRTC, conferencing, and contact centers.
See also: Top 10 Business Phone systems
