Asterisk

Open-source IP PBX, VoIP gateway and conference server framework

About Asterisk

Asterisk is a widely used open-source framework for building communications applications, including IP PBX systems, VoIP gateways, conference servers and call-centre software. Running on Linux, it connects telephony hardware and protocols such as SIP with programmable dialplans, so organisations can build anything from an office phone system to large carrier services. It is aimed at telephony developers, IT teams and service providers who need a flexible, scriptable voice platform.

Asterisk website preview

Live preview of asterisk.org via the WordPress mShots service — it can take a few seconds to generate on a first visit.

Asterisk: strengths & things to check

Strengths

Completely free to use — this directory lists no paid plan for it.
Covers voip, pbx, sip, telephony, open source — see the focus areas listed in its key facts.
Has 6 close alternatives in the same category on this page, so switching or comparing is easy.

Things to check

Free tools can change their model or shut down — avoid locking critical work into it without an export path.
Current plan prices are not listed here (they change too often to print reliably) — confirm the exact price on the official site.
It is one of 565 tools in the Communication & Collaboration category here — compare it against the alternatives below before you commit.

Derived from this listing's own data (pricing model, focus areas and category) — not a hands-on review score.

Asterisk pricing

Pricing model	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Free access	Yes — fully free
Current plan prices	Listed on the official site — prices change, so this directory links out instead of printing a number that may already be stale.
Official site	asterisk.org

Asterisk key facts

Category: Communication & Collaboration
Pricing: Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas: voip, pbx, sip, telephony, open source
Official site: asterisk.org

Asterisk FAQ

How much does Asterisk cost?

Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. Current plans and prices are listed on the official site (asterisk.org).

What is Asterisk used for?

Open-source IP PBX, VoIP gateway and conference server framework Its focus areas in the Communication & Collaboration category: voip, pbx, sip, telephony, open source.

Where can I try Asterisk?

On its official site, asterisk.org — the Visit Official Site button above goes straight there.

Asterisk vs alternatives

	Asterisk	FreeSWITCH	OpenSIPS	FreePBX
Pricing	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Freemium — a free tier lets you start, and paid plans are available if you need more.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas	voip, pbx, sip, telephony, open source	telephony, voip, open source, sip, self hosted	sip, voip, telephony, open source, server	pbx, voip, asterisk, telephony
Official site	asterisk.org	freeswitch.org	opensips.org	freepbx.org
Directory status	Listed	Listed	Listed	Listed

Side-by-side from each listing's own directory data. Full alternative cards are below.

About the Communication & Collaboration category

Chat, video meetings, and messaging apps that keep teams connected. The Communication & Collaboration category on Tools Hub currently lists 565 tools. Alongside Asterisk, it includes Simple Machines Forum, FreeScout, mailcow: dockerized, FreeSWITCH.

FreeCommunication & Collaborationvoippbxsiptelephonyopen-source

Alternatives to Asterisk

Tools in the same Communication & Collaboration category that share focus areas with Asterisk — worth comparing before you commit:

Communication & Collaboration

FreeSWITCH

Open-source telephony platform for real-time voice and video

Freemiumtelephonyvoipopen-sourcesip

Communication & Collaboration

OpenSIPS

Open-source SIP proxy and server for voice and video

Freesipvoiptelephonyopen-source

Communication & Collaboration

FreePBX

Web-based open-source GUI for managing Asterisk phone systems

Freepbxvoipasterisktelephony

Communication & Collaboration

Kamailio

The open-source SIP server for large real-time communication services

Freesipvoiptelephonyserver

Communication & Collaboration

SIPCAPTURE Homer

Open-source VoIP and RTC capture, analysis and monitoring platform.

Freevoipsipmonitoringopen-source

Communication & Collaboration

3CX

Business phone system with video and live chat

Freemiumpbxvoipbusiness-phonevideo

More in Communication & Collaboration

Comparing tools in the Communication & Collaboration category? These related listings are worth a look: Simple Machines Forum — Free, professional-grade software for running your own online community; FreeScout — Free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox for support teams; mailcow: dockerized — The mailserver suite with the 'moo'.