5 Best PBX Phone Systems for a Small Business

Selecting the right PBX (private branch exchange) system for your small business can be challenging with so many choices on the market.

Below, we explore 5 reliable PBX solutions designed specifically for smaller teams, from cloud-hosted platforms to on-premise hardware that puts you in full control.

Read through your options to compare features and pricing, then reach out to United Telecoms for a recommendation built around your specific needs.

How Much Does a PBX Phone System for a Small Business Cost?

One of the biggest questions small business owners ask is what a modern phone system will actually cost.

The honest answer is that it depends, because PBX pricing in South Africa varies significantly based on the type of system you choose, how many staff need access, and what features your business actually requires.

The table below gives you a clear starting point. Browse the figures, then read through the five solutions below to understand exactly what each option includes and whether it suits your team.

 

Solution	Starting Price (excl. VAT)
Cloud PBX / Hosted PBX	R50 to R250 per extension per month
On-Premise IP PBX (hardware)	R4,000 to R20,000+ once-off
Virtual PBX / Basic VoIP	R50 to R200 per month
VoIP Desk Phone (handset)	R500 to R10,000 outright or from R50 per month

Most providers offer month-to-month contracts for cloud-based systems, so you are not locked into a long-term arrangement and can scale up or down as your business grows.

Browse the five solutions below to compare features and pricing, then contact United Telecoms for a quote tailored to your exact needs.

What are the factors that influence PBX pricing in South Africa?

• Type of system: A cloud PBX has monthly per-extension fees; an on-premise IP PBX requires a larger upfront payment or a monthly rental fee for hardware
• Number of users: Most providers charge per extension, with pricing improving as your team grows
• Features required: Basic call routing costs less than unified communications with video conferencing and call recording
• Hardware choices: Softphone apps are included at no extra cost; desk phones and ip phones add a one-time or monthly fee
• Contract terms: Month-to-month offers flexibility; longer agreements may include discounted handsets

Top 5 PBX Phone Systems for Small Businesses in South Africa

Not every PBX phone system suits every business.

The right choice depends on how many people use your phone system, what features you actually need, and whether you prefer cloud flexibility or on-premise control.

Below, we break down 5 proven PBX solutions for small businesses to help you compare and find your ideal match.

1. United Voice Cloud PBX: A Complete Hosted Phone System That Grows With You

United Voice Cloud removes the need for expensive on-site equipment while giving your team the freedom to take business calls from anywhere with a stable internet connection.

Choose from three flexible packages: Essential for core PBX functionality, Classic for desktop softphone access, and Pro for smartphone mobile app extensions. Pay only for what you need and add more as your business grows.

How does the Yeastar S50 work?

While smaller traditional PBX systems start to struggle at 20 users, the S50 continues to perform. It handles 50 SIP lines and 25 simultaneous calls, making it ideal for growing teams with steady inbound and outbound call volumes.

The rack-mountable design slides straight into your existing server infrastructure, and United Telecoms provides the SIP trunks your system needs to connect to the public phone network.

Key features of the Yeastar S50

• 50 users and 25 concurrent calls, double the capacity of the S20 and built for growth
• Rack-mountable form factor that fits neatly alongside your existing network equipment
• Rich built-in APIs to connect your phone system to CRMs and other business tools for unified communications
• Linkus UC Softphone includes desktop and mobile apps, so remote teams stay connected
• Call recording, auto-attendant, and conference calling are included as standard
• Free lifetime software upgrades so your system stays current without ongoing costs

Yeastar S50 pricing

Hardware: R12,299 once-off (incl. VAT). Need desk phones to complete your setup? We supply compatible IP phones from Yealink, Snom, and Fanvil. Order everything together and have a complete, ready-to-deploy business phone system delivered in one go.

Voice lines: No monthly per-extension fees; however, SIP trunks are required. United Telecoms offers SIP trunking from R99 per channel per month with per-second billing, so you only pay for what you use.

Contract terms: The S50 can be purchased outright with no fixed contract required. Many businesses with larger teams opt to rent the hardware over 36 or 60 months rather than commit to the full capital expense upfront.

Support: Support is available from South African telecoms providers that stock Yeastar systems. All S20 units from United Telecoms include free lifetime software upgrades and ongoing security updates.

Best suited for:

Businesses with 20 to 50 staff that have outgrown entry-level PBX solutions, want to avoid monthly per-extension fees, and prefer the reliability and control of on-premise hardware.

Ready to move up to a more powerful small business phone system? Buy the S50 directly from our online shop or browse our full Yeastar range to compare models. Not sure if the S50 is right for your team? Contact United Telecoms, and we will help you choose the right solution.

4. Yeastar S412 PBX System: Hybrid Flexibility for Businesses With Mixed Telephony Needs

Not every business is ready to go fully digital. Maybe you still have analogue office phones that you are not ready to replace. Maybe you want the reliability of traditional phone lines alongside modern VoIP features. The Yeastar S412 combines the best of both.

This advanced IP-PBX system combines VoIP technology with analogue and GSM/3G/4G cellular support, making it one of the most versatile PBX solutions for small businesses with mixed infrastructure. Keep your existing analogue devices while adding modern IP phones and VoIP services at your own pace.

United Telecoms supplies the complete package: the S412 unit, compatible IP phones, analogue adapters if needed, and the VoIP services (SIP trunks) to connect your system to the public phone network.

How does the Yeastar S412 work?

Unlike pure cloud PBX or fully digital on-premise systems, the S412 accepts multiple connection types simultaneously.

It supports up to 100 users and handles incoming and outgoing calls across VoIP lines, analogue (FXS/FXO) ports, and GSM/3G/4G channels. Your existing analogue desk phones continue to work alongside new IP phones, and your team can access the same modern call management features regardless of which device they use.

Key features of the Yeastar S412

• Hybrid connectivity supporting VoIP, analogue (FXS/FXO), and GSM/3G/4G on a single platform
• Up to 100 users, scaling comfortably for small to medium businesses
• Backward compatibility so your existing analogue phones keep working without replacement
• Linkus UC Softphone for mobile and desktop access for remote and hybrid teams
• Auto-attendant (IVR) to route incoming calls professionally across mixed line types
• Call recording and call routing included as standard for quality management and call control
• Gradual migration path so you can add VoIP services over time without disrupting operations
• Full compatibility with United Telecoms VoIP services, with SIP trunks from R99 per channel per month

Yeastar S412 pricing

Hardware: R5,919 once-off (incl. VAT), making the S412 one of the most affordable on-premise PBX systems in our range. Rental options are available if you prefer to spread the cost. Contact United Telecoms for rental pricing to suit your budget.

The S412 accepts FXO ports, allowing your traditional phone lines to connect directly to your new system. We supply compatible IP phones from Yealink, Snom, and Fanvil to complete your setup for staff moving to digital.

Voice lines: To connect the VoIP side of your S412 to the public phone network, you will need SIP trunks. United Telecoms offers SIP trunking from R99 per channel per month with per-second billing. 

Contract terms: The S412 is available as a one-off purchase with no contract attached. Businesses that would rather preserve their capital can rent the hardware over a fixed 36 or 60-month term, keeping monthly costs predictable.

Support: Support is available from South African telecoms providers that stock Yeastar systems. All S412 units from United Telecoms include free lifetime software upgrades and ongoing security updates.

Best suited for:

Businesses that are not ready to abandon analogue phones or traditional phone lines but want to gradually add VoIP capabilities. Ideal for companies with existing legacy infrastructure who prefer a step-by-step migration rather than a costly overnight replacement.

Ready to build a hybrid phone system that fits your timeline? Buy the S412 directly from our online shop.

Need advice on whether to keep your analogue lines or move fully to VoIP? Contact United Telecoms, and we will help you design a migration plan that works for your business.

5. Yeastar P520 PBX System: Unified Communications and Call Centre Features Built In

Most on-premise PBX systems handle basic call routing and not much else. The Yeastar P520 goes further. It brings voice calling, video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing together on a single platform, with dedicated call centre features built right in.

For small- to medium-sized businesses that want enterprise-grade collaboration tools without paying separate subscriptions for each, the P520 is a genuinely comprehensive business communications hub.

United Telecoms delivers the full package: the P520 unit, compatible IP phones, and VoIP services (SIP trunks) to connect your system to the public phone network.

How does the Yeastar P520 work?

Standard PBX systems manage phone calls. The P520 manages your entire internal and external communication stack. Your team makes and receives calls, joins video conferences, sends instant messages, and shares files without switching between different apps or platforms.

The built-in call centre features add an operator panel, call queue management, and advanced routing for teams handling higher volumes of inbound and outbound calls.

Key features of the Yeastar P520

• Unified communications built in, combining voice, video, instant messaging, and file sharing on one platform
• Call centre ready with an operator panel, call queue management, and advanced call routing for customer support teams
• Linkus UC Clients for desktop, web, and mobile across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
• Remote working support so your full feature set works from anywhere, not just the office
• Auto-attendant (IVR) for professional call routing without a dedicated receptionist
• Call recording and call forwarding are included as standard for quality management and compliance
• Conference calling for audio and video communication across internal and external calls
• Contact directory for straightforward management of customer and team contacts
• Full compatibility with United Telecoms VoIP services, with SIP trunks from R99 per channel per month

Yeastar P520 pricing

Hardware: R6,299 once-off (incl. VAT) with no monthly per-extension fees. Rental options are available if you prefer to spread the cost. Contact United Telecoms for rental pricing to suit your budget.

Need desk phones to complete your setup? We supply compatible IP phones from Yealink, Snom, and Fanvil for staff who want dedicated desk hardware.

Voice lines: To make and receive external calls, you will need SIP trunks. United Telecoms offers SIP trunking from R99 per channel per month with per-second billing.

Contract terms: The P520 can be purchased outright with no fixed contract required. Given the hardware investment involved, many businesses choose to rent the unit over 36 or 60 months, freeing up capital for other areas of the business.

Support: Support is available from South African telecoms providers that stock Yeastar systems. All P520 units from United Telecoms include free lifetime software upgrades and ongoing security updates.

Best suited for:

Small to medium businesses that need more than basic call handling. Ideal for teams that rely on collaboration tools day to day, companies with dedicated customer support functions, and organisations ready to bring voice, messaging, and video together on a single platform.

Ready to upgrade to a unified communications platform? Buy the P520 directly from our online shop. Not sure whether the P520 or another Yeastar model is the right fit? Contact United Telecoms, and we will help you compare options and choose with confidence.

How to Choose the Right PBX Phone System for Your Small Business

Choosing the right PBX phone system for a small business depends on three things: your team size, your infrastructure, and your preferred payment method.

If you want zero on-site hardware and the flexibility to scale month-to-month, a hosted cloud PBX is the natural starting point. If you prefer to own your equipment outright and avoid monthly per-extension fees, an on-premise IP PBX gives you full control.

Ask yourself these questions before moving forward:

• How many staff need extensions? Up to 20 users, consider the Yeastar S20. Up to 50, the S50 gives you room to grow. If you want no hardware at all, United Voice Cloud starts from R65 per extension per month.
• Do you have analogue phones or traditional lines you want to keep? The Yeastar S412 supports both analogue and modern VoIP, so nothing goes to waste.
• Does your team work remotely or across multiple locations? United Voice Cloud lets your team take calls from any device, anywhere with an internet connection.
• Do you need more than just calling? The Yeastar P520 adds video conferencing, instant messaging, and call centre tools to your phone system without extra subscriptions.

Need help? Contact United Telecoms, and we will recommend the right solution for your business.

Final Thoughts on the Best PBX Phone Systems for Small Businesses

There is no single best PBX phone system for every business. The right choice depends on your team size, how your staff works, and whether you prefer the flexibility of a monthly cloud subscription or the long-term value of owning your hardware outright.

The good news is that you now have a clear picture of what is available and what each solution offers small businesses.

Review the five systems covered above to compare features, pricing, and best-fit scenarios.

Whether you need the simplicity of a hosted cloud PBX, the control of an on-premise IP PBX, the versatility of a hybrid system, or a unified communications platform with call centre capabilities built in, there is a solution on this list that fits your business.

United Telecoms has been helping South African businesses choose, install, and support their phone systems since 1985. We supply the full range of solutions covered in this guide, backed by local expertise, tailored advice, and ongoing support after installation.

To find the right small business PBX system, contact United Telecoms and our specialists will discuss your needs and help you implement a solution.

Looking to do more research before you decide? 

Our guides on the types of phone systems for small businesses, best office phone system providers, and the complete PBX and PABX systems guide are useful next steps. If you are specifically considering a Yeastar VoIP PBX system, our guide to Yeastar PBX systems covers them in more detail.