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Comparison · Meetings
3CX vs Ant Media Server
A side-by-side editorial comparison of 3CX and Ant Media Server — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Shared themes:self-hosted
3CX vs Ant Media Server: at a glance
What is 3CX?
3CX is retiring its own cloud transcription and pushing customers to bring their own AI.
3CX is closing its bundled AI services and moving customers to AI they run or connect themselves. ENT+ licences convert to AI Edition in January 2027 and the legacy cloud transcription service retires then too. V20 Update 10 is at Release Candidate 2 with simpler audio conferencing, a new AI Server migration guide covers the self-hosted path, and a November 9 sizing guide tells admins how much hardware that server needs for their transcription load.
What is Ant Media Server?
Ant Media Server 3.1 rebuilds its management panel and adds multi-audio SRT.
Ant Media Server is a self-hosted streaming server spanning WebRTC, RTMP, SRT, HLS and LL-HLS. The 2026 releases added server-side ad insertion with SCTE-35, a second WebRTC Web SDK, AV1 support and SRT restreaming, then 3.1.0 in September shipped a rebuilt management panel, an RTSP output plugin, multiple audio tracks from SRT ingest into HLS and WebRTC, and a move to Java 21. Most point releases also carry batches of dependency CVE fixes.
3CX vs Ant Media Server: editorial side-by-side
3CX
6.3MEETINGS
3CX is retiring its own cloud transcription and pushing customers to bring their own AI.
◆ Current state
3CX is closing its bundled AI services and moving customers to AI they run or connect themselves. ENT+ licences convert to AI Edition in January 2027 and the legacy cloud transcription service retires then too. V20 Update 10 is at Release Candidate 2 with simpler audio conferencing, a new AI Server migration guide covers the self-hosted path, and a November 9 sizing guide tells admins how much hardware that server needs for their transcription load.
◆ Where it's heading
The model is shifting from 3CX selling AI minutes to 3CX being the phone system that connects to OpenAI, Google, xAI or its own self-hosted AI Server. That fits its long-standing self-hosted identity, and it hands usage cost and setup work to the customer. Marketing now serves the same move, with partner content on selling AI and call analytics posts around AI Edition.
◆ Prediction
Update 10 looks close to general availability; expect a GA post plus more feature explainers like the conferencing and pop-out dialer pieces.
Ant Media Server
0.0MEETINGS
Ant Media Server 3.1 rebuilds its management panel and adds multi-audio SRT.
◆ Current state
Ant Media Server is a self-hosted streaming server spanning WebRTC, RTMP, SRT, HLS and LL-HLS. The 2026 releases added server-side ad insertion with SCTE-35, a second WebRTC Web SDK, AV1 support and SRT restreaming, then 3.1.0 in September shipped a rebuilt management panel, an RTSP output plugin, multiple audio tracks from SRT ingest into HLS and WebRTC, and a move to Java 21. Most point releases also carry batches of dependency CVE fixes.
◆ Where it's heading
The 3.x line is about protocol coverage and broadcast workflows: SRT in and out, RTSP out, multi-language audio, ad markers and MOQ experiments. Removing deprecated APIs in 3.0.1 and moving to Java 21 in 3.1.0 show a willingness to break old integrations to modernise the base.
◆ Prediction
Expect 3.1.x patches that fix multi-audio and SRT edge cases, plus continued MOQ player work; the feed gives no date for a 3.2 or 4.0.
Alternatives to 3CX and Ant Media Server
Other Meetings products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either 3CX or Ant Media Server.
Wildix
Wildix pairs security certifications with Wilma AI handling front-line partner support.
Eventcombo
Eventcombo's feed stays on 2027 buyer guides, now for webinars and production.
JW Player
JW Player now writes captions automatically for every new upload.
Fourwaves
Fourwaves adds reusable email templates for paid plans in a week of small fixes.
HOMER
HOMER 11 locks down its live SIP stream and logs after a week of protocol work.
See all 3CX alternatives → · See all Ant Media Server alternatives →
Recent activity from 3CX and Ant Media Server
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 13h ago3CXSize Your 3CX AI Server for Today, Scale It for Tomorrow
- 3d ago3CXYour Existing Customers Are Your Next Growth Opportunity
- 4d ago3CXStart and Manage Audio Conferences in Fewer Steps with V20 Update 10
- 6d ago3CXKeep Call Controls in View with the 3CX Pop-Out Dialer
- 7d ago3CXMoving to the New 3CX AI Server in Update 10
- 10d ago3CXWhat Are Customers Telling You Every Day? Find Out with 3CX AI Edition
- 2mo agoAnt Media ServerNew management panel, RTSP output and multi-audio SRT ingest
- 6mo agoAnt Media Server3.0.3 maintenance build with no listed changes
- 6mo agoAnt Media Server3.0.2 code quality and stability build
- 6mo agoAnt Media Server3.0.1 adds AV1 and removes deprecated APIs
- 9mo agoAnt Media ServerRestream to SRT, local license server, on-demand playlists
- 9mo agoAnt Media ServerServer-side ad insertion and WebRTC Web SDK v2
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 3CX and Ant Media Server?
Both compete on the same themes — self-hosted — within Meetings. 3CX is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 0.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is 3CX better than Ant Media Server?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. 3CX is currently shipping more aggressively (velocity 6.3 vs 0.0), with 0 editorial sparks in the last 30 days against 0. For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Meetings products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to 3CX?
Top 3CX alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "3CX alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/3cx for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to Ant Media Server?
Top Ant Media Server alternatives in Meetings are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Ant Media Server alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/ant-media-server for the full list with editorial commentary on each.