Asterisk and VoIP.ms are two prominent entities in the realm of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), but they serve different functions and cater to different market segments. Here's a comprehensive overview of both:

Asterisk

a) Primary Functions and Target Markets

• Primary Functions: Asterisk is an open-source software framework for building communications applications. Its capabilities include the ability to turn an ordinary computer into a communications server. Asterisk can perform a variety of functions, including IP PBX systems, VoIP gateways, conference servers, call centers, and more. It supports a wide range of technology interfaces and protocols, such as SIP, IAX, and different telephony hardware connections.
• Target Markets: Asterisk is aimed primarily at developers, systems integrators, and businesses of all sizes who need customizable communication solutions. It is particularly popular among small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking cost-effective telephony solutions without being tied to a proprietary system.

b) Market Share and User Base

• Market Share: Asterisk has a significant presence in the open-source IP telephony market. Its flexibility and cost-effectiveness have led it to be widely adopted globally. However, as an open-source project, exact market share figures are hard to pin down. It is a foundational technology for many commercial PBX products worldwide.
• User Base: The user base includes a vast number of developers and businesses that customize Asterisk for specific telephony needs. Enterprises use it for in-house communication, and telephony service providers may use it as part of their service infrastructure.

c) Key Differentiating Factors

• Open Source: Asterisk is open-source, making it highly flexible and customizable. Users can modify it to suit specific needs, contributing to its widespread popularity among developers.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Unlike proprietary solutions, Asterisk can be tailored to almost any requirement, making it suitable for a wide range of applications from small business setups to large enterprise environments.
• Community Support: A large, active community provides ongoing support, development, and innovation, which can be highly advantageous for users needing regular updates or custom features.

VoIP.ms

a) Primary Functions and Target Markets

• Primary Functions: VoIP.ms is a cloud-based telephony service provider that offers various services like SIP trunking, local and international DID numbers, virtual fax, SMS/MMS, and more. Its primary function is to offer telecommunication services over the internet at competitive prices.
• Target Markets: VoIP.ms primarily targets small to medium-sized businesses that require affordable, reliable telephony services without investing in extensive telecom infrastructure. It also caters to IT professionals and system administrators looking for flexible and customizable telephony solutions.

b) Market Share and User Base

• Market Share: VoIP.ms is a recognized name among VoIP service providers, especially in North America. It competes with other ITSPs (Internet Telephony Service Providers) in the hosted and SIP trunking services market.
• User Base: The user base consists largely of SMEs and individual users who need cost-effective and flexible telephony solutions. It is well-regarded for its comprehensive features and affordability.

c) Key Differentiating Factors

• Ease of Use: VoIP.ms provides a user-friendly interface and simplified setup, making it accessible to businesses without extensive technical expertise.
• Feature Set: It offers a broad array of features out-of-the-box, including voicemail, IVR, call forwarding, etc., usually included in its service packages without the need for additional customization.
• Hosted Service: Unlike Asterisk, which requires on-premise setup and management, VoIP.ms offers cloud-based services, meaning businesses don’t need their own telephony infrastructure.
• Pricing Model: VoIP.ms operates on a pay-per-use model that can be cost-effective for businesses with variable calling needs compared to traditional PBX systems.

Overall Comparison

• Target Audience: Asterisk is more suited for developers and integrators needing custom solutions, whereas VoIP.ms is ideal for businesses seeking straightforward telephony services.
• Deployment: Asterisk requires more technical expertise for deployment, while VoIP.ms offers hassle-free, hosted services.
• Customization vs. Convenience: Asterisk offers higher customization due to its open-source nature, while VoIP.ms focuses on ease of use and cloud-based convenience.
• Market Approach: While Asterisk empowers users to build upon it, VoIP.ms provides a ready-to-use service that requires minimal setup on the user's part.

Both solutions effectively address different needs in the VoIP market and are valuable in their respective domains.

Asterisk and VoIP.ms are both integral parts of the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) landscape, though they serve different roles and audiences. Here's a breakdown of their core features, user interface comparison, and unique features:

a) Core Features in Common

Despite their different use cases, Asterisk and VoIP.ms share some common core features due to their focus on VoIP capabilities. These include:

1. SIP Support: Both support the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), which is essential for facilitating VoIP communications.
2. Call Routing: They offer advanced call routing features that enable efficient management of incoming and outgoing calls.
3. Voice Mail: Both platforms provide voicemail functionalities.
4. IVR Systems: Support for Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems to automate call handling.
5. Call Queues and Management: Capacity to manage calls in queues to improve caller experience and operator efficiency.
6. Call Recording: Ability to record calls for quality and training purposes.
7. Conference Calling: Support for setting up conference calls.
8. Caller ID: Enables the identification of incoming caller identity.

b) User Interface Comparison

• Asterisk:

  • Asterisk itself is an open-source framework and doesn't come with a specific GUI out-of-the-box. It's primarily configured via command line interfaces and configuration files. However, many supplementary GUI-based management tools (like FreePBX) are available to make configuration easier for less technical users.
  • The user experience largely depends on the additional software used to manage Asterisk. It is highly flexible but can be complex and requires technical expertise for initial setup and maintenance.

• VoIP.ms:

  • VoIP.ms is a service provider rather than a software framework, so it offers a web-based user interface for account management and configuration.
  • Its interface is generally more user-friendly for average users compared to Asterisk, focusing on intuitive navigation and ease of access to settings and account details.
  • Perfect for users who prefer a streamlined experience without technical deep-dives.

c) Unique Features

• Asterisk:

  • Open Source Framework: Asterisk is a highly flexible and customizable open-source telephony framework. Users can develop custom VoIP solutions tailored to specific needs.
  • Extensibility: With the ability to write custom dial plan scripts and integrate third-party applications, Asterisk offers unparalleled flexibility for those looking to build bespoke telephony solutions.
  • Programming Capabilities: Developers can leverage different programming languages to interact with Asterisk, creating custom applications.

• VoIP.ms:

  • Hosted VoIP Service: VoIP.ms provides hosted VoIP services, meaning users can take advantage of VoIP capabilities without needing to manage their own infrastructure.
  • Global DIDs: Offers a wide range of Direct Inward Dialing (DID) numbers from multiple countries, which is ideal for businesses with a global presence.
  • Account Portal: The VoIP.ms account portal is comprehensive, allowing users to manage all aspects of their services, from billing to call logs.
  • API Access: VoIP.ms offers APIs for further integration with other business systems, though this is targeted more towards enhancing service interoperability rather than building custom telephony solutions.

In summary, Asterisk is a powerful framework suitable for developers and technically savvy users looking to build custom VoIP solutions from the ground up, while VoIP.ms is a comprehensive hosted service aimed at providing a convenient, manageable VoIP solution out of the box.

Asterisk

a) Best Fit for Asterisk:

1. Customizable Telephony Solutions:

   • Asterisk is ideal for businesses that need highly customized telephony systems. Companies with specific requirements can use Asterisk’s flexibility to tailor solutions that integrate with unique business processes.

2. SMEs with In-House IT Expertise:

   • Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have technical expertise in-house will find Asterisk advantageous as it allows them to develop, modify, and maintain a bespoke VoIP system while reducing costs associated with proprietary systems.

3. Call Centers:

   • Businesses operating call centers might choose Asterisk to build complex queueing systems, integrate CRM, and manage inbound/outbound calling operations efficiently due to its robust API and flexibility.

4. Educational Institutions:

   • Universities and schools can leverage Asterisk for providing secure and scalable communication networks across campuses, integrating with learning management systems, and facilitating remote learning environments.

5. Tech-Savvy Startups:

   • Startups with a focus on technological innovation may select Asterisk because it allows rapid prototyping and deployment of communication features that can be integrated into new tech products.

6. Communications Service Providers:

   • ISPs or telecom companies can utilize Asterisk to develop customized solutions for clients, offering hosted VoIP services or adding telephony features to existing ISP portfolios.

VoIP.ms

b) Best Fit for VoIP.ms:

1. Cost-Conscious SMEs:

   • Small businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective VoIP solution without significant upfront investment or the need for in-house expertise will find VoIP.ms more appropriate due to its pay-as-you-go pricing model.

2. Remote and Distributed Teams:

   • VoIP.ms is suited for companies with remote or distributed teams that require easy setup and management of communication systems across different geographic locations without the hassle of managing hardware.

3. Businesses Needing Quick Deployment:

   • Companies seeking fast implementation of a VoIP service with minimal hassle can benefit from VoIP.ms, due to its user-friendly interface and quick setup process.

4. Freelancers and Small Teams:

   • Individual freelancers and very small teams that need professional telecommunications systems without complexity or the need to manage their own servers will find VoIP.ms attractive.

5. E-commerce and Online Businesses:

   • Businesses operating online can leverage VoIP.ms to provide customer service lines, handle customer queries, and support voice communications integrated with other digital interfaces seamlessly.

Industry Verticals and Company Sizes

Asterisk:

• Industries: Asterisk is applicable across various industries such as telecommunications, IT services, customer service, education, and hospitality that need adaptable voice communication solutions.
• Company Sizes: Mainly medium to large enterprises, but also SMEs with technical know-how. It supports from small installations to extensive enterprise-grade deployments.

VoIP.ms:

• Industries: Serves industries such as hospitality, retail, consulting services, e-commerce, and any business requiring reliable phone services without managing infrastructure.
• Company Sizes: Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, freelancers, and startups due to its scalable cost structure and ease of use. It can also cater to larger companies that require additional redundancy or backing for an existing system.

In summary, Asterisk is suited for organizations with specific telephony needs requiring customization and are ready to manage infrastructure, while VoIP.ms targets those needing scalable, affordable, and easy-to-deploy VoIP solutions without the need for technical management.

When comparing Asterisk and VoIP.ms, it's important to recognize that they serve different functions within the VoIP ecosystem. Asterisk is a powerful open-source PBX (Private Branch Exchange) platform offering immense flexibility and customization, while VoIP.ms is a VoIP service provider offering a reliable, cost-effective, and feature-rich service.

Conclusion and Final Verdict

a) Best Overall Value:

VoIP.ms tends to offer the best overall value for users who seek an easy-to-use, reliable, and affordable VoIP service without the need for extensive technical expertise or customizability. It is ideally suited for small to medium-sized businesses that want a straightforward, effective VoIP solution with minimal setup and maintenance efforts.

Asterisk, on the other hand, provides the best value for technically-inclined users or businesses that need a highly customizable PBX solution. Its open-source nature allows for extensive tailoring to specific needs, but this also requires more technical knowledge and resources to manage effectively.

b) Pros and Cons

Asterisk Pros:

• Highly customizable: Ideal for businesses that require specific setups or unique features.
• Open-source: No licensing fees, with a large community for support and development.
• Scalable: Can be adjusted to accommodate businesses of various sizes.

Asterisk Cons:

• Technical complexity: Requires in-depth knowledge to install, configure, and maintain.
• Potentially higher implementation and maintenance costs due to technical demands.
• Not as user-friendly without third-party interfaces or significant customization.

VoIP.ms Pros:

• Cost-effective: Offering competitive rates with no long-term contracts.
• User-friendly: Easy to set up and manage, suitable for users with little technical knowledge.
• Reliable service: Well-regarded for its uptime and customer support.
• Rich feature set: Includes numerous features suitable for various business needs.

VoIP.ms Cons:

• Less customizable compared to an open-source platform like Asterisk.
• Dependent on the provider for updates and support.
• Limited by the service options and integrations provided by VoIP.ms.

c) Recommendations

For users deciding between Asterisk and VoIP.ms:

• Choose Asterisk if: You have the technical expertise and resources to manage a custom VoIP solution, or if your business has unique requirements that cannot be met by standard service providers. Asterisk is ideal for larger organizations or those that desire complete control over their communication infrastructure.

• Choose VoIP.ms if: You prefer a straightforward, reliable VoIP service that offers a wide range of features with minimal hassle. VoIP.ms is excellent for small to medium-sized businesses looking for cost-effective and easy-to-deploy solutions without the need for extensive customization.

In summary, the choice ultimately depends on the specific needs, resources, and technical capacity of the user or organization. Evaluate your requirements, technical skillset, and budget to determine which solution aligns best with your objectives.