Asterisk vs. Switchvox
People frequently ask why Digium offers both the free and open source Asterisk engine and the commercial Switchvox solution.
The answer is simple: while both products fit into the larger universe of telecommunications technologies, they have very different purposes and are geared towards different audiences.
 | Asterisk is a communications engine that transforms commodity computers into powerful communications servers. Asterisk is free and open source software. Digium is the creator and primary sponsor of the Asterisk project. |
What can Asterisk do?
The Asterisk communications engine is an open source tool-kit that drastically simplifies the process of building communications applications. Asterisk allows systems administrators and application developers to quickly and easily assemble communications solutions including IP PBX systems, interactive voice response (IVR) servers, voice messaging platforms, automatic call distributors (ACD) and more. Asterisk includes a wide range of building block modules that handle the low-level details of telecommunications, leaving the developer free to concentrate on business logic.
Is Asterisk right for you?
The Asterisk communications engine is built by and for communication systems developers. Asterisk is incredibly powerful, includes support for virtually every communications protocol in use today and offers unparalleled flexibility. If you are developing a project, product or solution that calls for real-time voice communications then Asterisk is the answer. To get the most out of Asterisk you’ll want a solid understanding of:
- Linux Systems Administration
- Telecommunications
- TCP/IP Networking
- Script Programming
 | Switchvox, based on Asterisk, is a full-featured, unified communications (UC) business phone system, and is designed for small-to-midsized businesses. The Switchvox appliances are 60-80% less expensive than competitive UC systems based on proprietary technologies. |
What can Switchvox do?
Switchvox is a full-featured UC solution built on open standards and protocols, therefore simplifying moves, adds and changes. Switchvox takes care of the heavy lifting for you – you don’t have to be a developer to take full advantage of a customizable, VoIP phone system. With Switchvox, you get many products in one – your voicemail server, automatic call distribution (ACD)/call queues, IVR/auto-attendant, as well as an interactive dashboard – Switchboard, which is one interface to manage your calls, call queues, web-mashups, mobile phones and more.
Is Switchvox right for you?
Where Asterisk is an engine, Switchvox is a complete vehicle that anyone with minimal computer experience can manage and is built for small and mid-sized businesses that need a powerful, cost effective phone system.
Switchvox is administered through an easy to use graphical user interface (GUI) rather than raw configuration files and custom scripts. Switchvox includes all of the standard features of phone system plus unified communication capabilities:
- Mobility Support with Fixed Mobile Convergence
- Voicemail-to-email integration
- Interactive dashboard with drag/drop call control
- Multi-party conferencing and more
Conclusion:
If you’re technically inclined and want to build a communication product or solution, then Asterisk is for you. People who want an easy to install, easy to maintain, yet powerful and customizable phone system for up to 400 users should check out Switchvox.
| Asterisk looks like the solution for me. What's next?
|
| I like the sound of Switchvox. How can I find out more?
|