FreeSWITCH vs NCH IVM Telephone Answering Attendant
FreeSWITCH
signalwire.comNCH IVM Telephone Answering Attendant
nch.com.auSide by side
| Figure | FreeSWITCH | NCH IVM Telephone Answering Attendant |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2,999/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 6 |
| Spec score · Interactive Voice Response Software | 8.0 (#7) | 7.9 (#8) |
| Founded | 2006 | 1993 |
| Integrations | FreeSWITCH documents integrations through HTTP backends, embedded Lua, Perl, Python, JavaScript and Java, and SignalWire connectivity. | NCH says IVM can auto-detect its Axon IP PBX on the same server and offers free plugins for ODBC/SQL, internet access, fax-back services, and hardware control. |
| Purpose | FreeSWITCH is an open-source framework for real-time voice and video that can route calls, bridge video, transcode media, and connect protocols. | IVM is voicemail, call attendant, interactive voice response, and autodial telephone management software for small to medium businesses. |
| Support | The open-source edition has community support, while SignalWire offers commercial support, hardened builds, and priority patches through FreeSWITCH Pro. | NCH lists email support and offers paid priority phone support for 12 months or email-only support for one month on the purchase page. |
Plans
FreeSWITCH
- FreeSWITCH Open SourceFree
- FreeSWITCH AdvantagePriced on request
- SignalWire PlatformPriced on request
NCH IVM Telephone Answering Attendant
- IVM Telephone Attendant Professional monthly plan$2,999 a month
- IVM Telephone Attendant Basic Answering Machine$6,995, paid once
- IVM Telephone Attendant Small Business$9,900, paid once
- IVM Telephone Attendant Small Interactive System$25,900, paid once
- IVM Telephone Attendant Professional$38,500, paid once
- IVM Telephone Attendant Enterprise$89,900, paid once
In their own words
FreeSWITCH
FreeSWITCH is an open-source framework for real-time voice and video communications. It can route calls, bridge video, transcode media, and connect protocols, and is designed for use in carriers, contact centers, and communication products. Its Event Socket exposes call control, channel management, and internal events to external processes over TCP. Integrations include HTTP backends, embedded Lua, Perl, Python, JavaScript, Java, and SignalWire connectivity. The mod_signalwire module connects to SignalWire for inbound and outbound PSTN calling over a persistent WebSocket session. Linux installation guidance covers Debian and Ubuntu using SignalWire packages or a source build. A free SignalWire account is required to access packages and downloads. FreeSWITCH is licensed under MPL 2.0 and can run in production at no cost; self-hosting requires dedicated resources to maintain on-premises infrastructure. The open-source edition has community support, while FreeSWITCH Pro offers commercial support, hardened builds, priority patches, and commercial modules including answering machine detection and licensed G.729 Annex A encoding and decoding.
NCH IVM Telephone Answering Attendant
NCH IVM Telephone Answering Attendant is telephone management software for small to medium businesses, combining voicemail, call attendant, interactive voice response, and autodial functions. Incoming call menus can route or redirect callers during or after office hours. The product lists support for up to 64 simultaneous telephone lines, along with caller ID logging, keypad menus, call transfer subject to phone-company or PBX features, and remote telephone access. Incoming messages can be saved as WAV files. Voicemail boxes can forward messages by email or provide internet or remote access, and the software also supports automated outbound calls and messages. IVM connects through a professional telephony board, TAPI-compliant voice modem, VoIP SIP service, or PBX such as Axon. NCH says it can detect its Axon IP PBX on the same server and offers plugins for ODBC/SQL, internet access, fax-back, and hardware control. It is listed for Linux and Windows, though its system requirements specify Windows XP through 10 and 64-bit Windows support. A free trial download is available, but there is no free plan. Listed purchase options include $6,995 as a one-time purchase for Basic Answering Machine and $89,900, paid once for Enterprise; the Professional monthly plan is $2,999 a month.