What's New in 3CX Version 20?
3CX Version 20 (V20) represents one of the most significant updates to the platform in several years. The changes span licensing, deployment architecture, security, and features. Here is a summary of the key changes and what they mean for businesses currently running 3CX.
Licensing Changes: From Per-Extension to Per-Simultaneous-Call
The most significant change in V20 is the shift in the licensing model. Previous versions of 3CX were licensed per extension (per user). V20 moves to a per-simultaneous-call (SC) model.
This change has mixed implications:
- Benefit for larger organisations — A business with 50 staff but only 10 concurrent calls at any given time will pay for 10 SCs rather than 50 extensions. This can represent a significant saving.
- Consideration for call centres — Organisations with high call concurrency relative to their total user count may see increased costs.
The new licensing tiers are:
- Free — Up to 4 simultaneous calls, suitable for very small businesses
- SMB — Up to 8 SCs, annual subscription
- Pro — Up to 32 SCs, annual subscription, includes advanced features
- Enterprise — Unlimited SCs, annual subscription, full feature set
New Security Architecture
V20 introduces a significantly hardened security architecture. Key changes include:
Mandatory HTTPS — The 3CX management console now requires HTTPS. HTTP access is no longer supported.
Improved SBC (Session Border Controller) — The built-in SBC has been redesigned to better protect against SIP-based attacks, which are a common vector for toll fraud.
Enhanced firewall rules — V20 includes more granular firewall rule management, making it easier to lock down the system to known IP ranges.
Automatic security updates — V20 can be configured to apply security patches automatically, reducing the window of exposure to newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Web Client Improvements
The 3CX web client has been substantially redesigned in V20. Key improvements include:
- Unified inbox — Calls, voicemails, chat messages, and WhatsApp messages are now consolidated in a single inbox view
- Improved video conferencing — The built-in video conferencing has been upgraded with better screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and participant management
- Live chat widget — The customer-facing live chat widget has been redesigned and is easier to integrate with websites
- Presence improvements — More granular presence status options, including custom status messages
Mobile App Updates
The 3CX iOS and Android apps have been updated to align with the V20 architecture. Key improvements include:
- Push notifications — More reliable push notifications for incoming calls, reducing battery drain compared to the persistent connection model used in previous versions
- Background calling — Improved handling of calls when the app is in the background on iOS
- Unified interface — The mobile app now mirrors the web client interface more closely, reducing the learning curve for users who switch between devices
Should You Upgrade to V20?
If you are running 3CX V18 or earlier, upgrading to V20 is strongly recommended for the security improvements alone. The new licensing model may also result in cost savings, depending on your call patterns.
The upgrade process from V18 to V20 is not a simple in-place upgrade — it requires a fresh installation and migration of your configuration. ClearCall can manage this process for you, including:
- Exporting and importing your existing configuration
- Migrating your extensions, ring groups, and IVR settings
- Re-provisioning your IP phones
- Testing and validation before go-live
Contact ClearCall to discuss your V20 upgrade options.