FreeSWITCH is the leading open-source real-time communication platform used by developers and service providers to build scalable voice, video, and messaging systems.

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🚀 Overview

FreeSWITCH is a powerful open-source software defined telecom stack that enables the digital transformation from proprietary hardware switches to versatile software implementations for handling voice, video, and messaging.

It solves the challenges of scaling and customizing telephony infrastructures, providing deep control over signaling (SIP), media (RTP/codecs), dialplans, and routing without the limitations of closed systems. Teams can build custom modules, integrate AI, and scale effortlessly, often augmented by SignalWire's cloud services.

Built for developers, telecom engineers, and companies powering large-scale comms platforms (e.g., 300M+ daily users), FreeSWITCH offers flexibility for everything from simple PBX to complex multi-tenant systems.

Originally developed to democratize advanced telecom tech, it's now sponsored and maintained by SignalWire, the company founded by its core creators, ensuring ongoing innovation and community support.

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✨ Key Features

• Deep protocol control: Manage SIP, RTP, codecs, media flows, dialplans, and event orchestration for custom call logic and automation like AI transcription.
• Modular architecture: Load only needed components; extend with custom modules in C, Lua, JS, etc., for unique behaviors.
• Scalable conferencing: Handle multi-party audio/video with session management, overflow, and global high availability.
• AI and cloud integration: Embed real-time AI; auto-scale via SignalWire without cluster management.
• Upcoming: Continued quarterly releases, enhanced commercial modules (e.g., G.729A, STIR/SHAKEN), ClueCon 2026 advancements.

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🛠 Tech Stack

• Core: C/C++
• Scripting/Extensions: Lua, JavaScript, Python (ESL), Perl, Java, .NET
• Protocols: SIP, RTP, WebRTC
• Configuration: XML dialplans
• Database: N/A (file-based, optional external)
• Auth: Built-in SIP digest, TLS
• Hosting: Self-hosted (Linux preferred, Windows, FreeBSD), Docker

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👥 Who Is This For?

This project is useful for:

• Developers who want to build custom VoIP, video, and messaging apps with low-level control
• Teams looking for scalable softswitch alternatives to proprietary PBX/ACD
• Indie makers and enterprises building contact centers, emergency services, or global comms platforms

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📸 Screenshots / Demo

• Live demo: N/A (server software; test via docs tutorials)
• GitHub: https://github.com/signalwire/freeswitch
• Docs/Demos: https://developer.signalwire.com/freeswitch/

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🔥 Project Status

• 🟢 Actively building

Last updated: 2026-03-24

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❓ FAQ

Is this project free?

Yes / Open Source (MPL 1.1 license). Freemium with optional commercial modules and SignalWire support.

Is the source code available?

Yes — https://github.com/signalwire/freeswitch

Can I contribute?

Yes — fork on GitHub, submit PRs/issues; join community forum (https://forum.signalwire.community/), Discord (http://discord.gg/F2WNYTNjuF), bimonthly office hours, or ClueCon conference.

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📬 Contact & Links

• Website: https://freeswitch.org
• GitHub: https://github.com/signalwire/freeswitch
• Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/freeswitch
• Email: Use community channels (forum, Discord)

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