Comparision of Trixbox, AsteriskNow, and FreePBX

Hello. This is my first posting to this forum, so it's good to be a part of the community!

So what I'm trying to figure out from several prior hours of online research is an “apples-to-apples” comparison of the pbx-like software out there if I would use a voip service provider like Vonage.com or BroadVoice.com for my connection to the POTS/PSTN network. I’m not so interested in the IAX stuff which I think is for more large scale applications. Also I'm based in the US.

The free software programs that *seem* most feature-rich and straightforward to use are Trixbox, asteriskNow and FreePBX.

(If I'm leaving out any important software programs/applications, please mention them).

In my particular situation, it would be great to function with 3 geographically separated SIP phones, like Cisco's 7940 through their 7970 series, or even the Aastra or Polycom (ie IP 601) phones that Trixbox claims to support so well. I'm assuming that most any of these phones have a similar feature set (esp. for a feature like using them to intercom each other at various locations in the US. )

I'm also assuming that these software applications include voicemail, music on hold, call transfer, and an automated attendant (the "press one for sales, press 2 for bookkeeping" thing).

So with that in mind as the application for the software, has anyone had a preference for the various pbx-like software programs out there? Are there definite pros and cons for each?

Some more areas for comparison:
Any there any hidden limitations that are only exposed through their use?
Is Trixbox Pro way better than CE? (the comparison list seems to be varying for their included and excluded features comparison at http://www.trixbox.com/products/help-me-choose )
Is Trixbox built upon FreePBX and Asterisk?
Does one type have better documentation or a better community.
Can one of them support call hunting (if no one picks up the call from the sip phone, it would hunt to another associates cell phone, then it would hunt to my cell phone)?

Do all programs need to utilize an entire PC to properly function or can then run on an existing linux server (for example Centos version 4).

Any comments would be appreciated.
--dan

I'll do the easy one first:-
FreePBX is a web based Asterisk management system. As such you can use it with your own Asterisk install, or use Trixbox, where working out how it works is done for you.

Trixbox and asteriskNow are complete Asterisk packages that will install and usually work on your PC with minimal messing about.

Of the two AsteriskNow is sponsored by Digium, comparatively new, slightly less feature rich and arguably, simpler to set up because of it.
Where Trixbox scores over its competitor is in complex conditional inbound routing. Though if you are a fan of CRM and/or calling cards, then SugarCRM and a2b-billing might sway you as well.
I suspect most wouldn't notice the difference.

The difference between TrixBox CE and Pro is also marginal.
The Pro edition has a 'Fonality tampered' version of Asterisk, is updated slightly less often, has a few features like 'click to call' built in and links you with Fonality and its services. If you buy it, then you get somebody to shout at when it doesn't work.

CE boasts a less tampered with version of Asterisk, but the special features present in the PRO version can be installed, even if you have to do it yourself. Along with any other little toy you might take a fancy to (which you cannot do with the Pro version).

TrixBox supports Follow-me services- i.e. you can configure an extension to forward a call on no-answer etc.

If your requirements are small and your server big, then yes you can get away with multi-rolling the server. Just do not try and use it as a workstation!

thanks for the response rgower.

It sound to me likean install of trixbox ce is a good way to go!

Any comparative opinions about Switchvox free edition (which Digium has bought, while they still support AsteriskNOW Beta).

The Switchvox GUI looks really good, compared to *Now. You cannot purchase Switchvox (supported version) without purchasing their hardware, but there is a free edition. Has the Switchvox purchase taken energy away from *NOW development?

No reason why Asterisk Now development should suffer, certainly Trixbox's hasn't under Fonality.

If they follow Fonality's example, then Switchvox would probably become a base line system i.e. development is slower, with development aimed at stability, rather than cramming more in