Asterisk vs Cloud Telephony

Asterisk — Asterisk is an open source communications software that allows you to build telephony applications and services. It supports voice over IP, video conferencing, voicemail, auto attendant, interactive v

Cloud Telephony — Cloud telephony refers to a voice communication service hosted in the cloud, rather than a business's on-premises phone system. It allows connecting landline and mobile phones to make and receive call

Asterisk offers PBX functionality, VoIP, Interactive voice response, Voicemail, Conference calling, while Cloud Telephony provides Cloud-based telephony system, Ability to make and receive calls over the internet, Integration with various devices and software, Scalable and flexible solution, Automated call routing and distribution.

Asterisk stands out for Open source and free, Highly customizable, Supports many protocols and codecs; Cloud Telephony is known for Reduced upfront costs and maintenance, Scalability to accommodate business growth, Increased mobility and remote work capabilities.

Feature	Asterisk	Cloud Telephony
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Business & Commerce

Product Overview

Asterisk

Description: Asterisk is an open source communications software that allows you to build telephony applications and services. It supports voice over IP, video conferencing, voicemail, auto attendant, interactive voice response, and more. It can be used to build PBX systems, call center solutions, and other communications platforms.

Cloud Telephony

Description: Cloud telephony refers to a voice communication service hosted in the cloud, rather than a business's on-premises phone system. It allows connecting landline and mobile phones to make and receive calls over the internet.

Key Features Comparison

Asterisk Features

• PBX functionality
• VoIP
• Interactive voice response
• Voicemail
• Conference calling
• Call routing
• Call queuing

Cloud Telephony Features

• Cloud-based telephony system
• Ability to make and receive calls over the internet
• Integration with various devices and software
• Scalable and flexible solution
• Automated call routing and distribution
• Call recording and monitoring features
• Unified communication and collaboration tools
• Mobile and remote access capabilities

Pros & Cons Analysis

Asterisk

Pros

• Open source and free
• Highly customizable
• Supports many protocols and codecs
• Active development community
• Integrates with many CRM and business software

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Requires technical expertise to setup and manage
• Limited official support
• Fragmented documentation
• Not as feature rich as proprietary PBX systems

Cloud Telephony

Pros

• Reduced upfront costs and maintenance
• Scalability to accommodate business growth
• Increased mobility and remote work capabilities
• Centralized management and control
• Improved customer experience with advanced features
• Potential for cost savings on long-distance and international calls

Cons

• Dependency on stable internet connectivity
• Potential security and privacy concerns
• Learning curve for employees to adapt to new system
• Limited control over infrastructure compared to on-premises systems
• Potential issues with call quality and reliability depending on network conditions

Pricing Comparison

Asterisk

• Open Source

Cloud Telephony

• Subscription-Based
• Pay-As-You-Go