Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about LeanPBX. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us.
Getting Started
Do I need any special hardware?
No. LeanPBX is fully cloud-based. You can use our built-in web phone directly in your browser, any SIP-compatible desk phone, or a softphone app on your mobile device.
How long does it take to set up?
About 5 minutes. Sign up, pick a phone number, create an extension, and you're ready to make and receive calls. There's an onboarding checklist on your dashboard to guide you through each step.
Can I try LeanPBX before paying?
Yes. Every new account gets a $5.00 free calling credit and starts on the free Starter plan. No credit card is required to sign up.
What browsers does the web phone support?
The built-in web phone uses WebRTC and works in all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. You'll need to allow microphone access when prompted.
Phone Numbers
Can I keep my existing phone numbers?
Yes. We support number porting so you can transfer your existing phone numbers to LeanPBX without any downtime.
What types of phone numbers are available?
We offer local and toll-free numbers. You can search by country, state, and area code to find a number that matches your business location.
Can I have multiple phone numbers?
Yes. You can add as many phone numbers as your business needs. Each number can be routed to different extensions, ring groups, IVR menus, or other destinations.
Features
How does the CRM integrate with the phone system?
The CRM is deeply integrated. Incoming calls automatically pop up the caller's contact info, calls are logged to the contact timeline, and you can click-to-call directly from any contact record.
What is an IVR / auto-attendant?
An IVR greets callers with a recorded menu and routes them based on what they press — for example, "Press 1 for Sales, Press 2 for Support." IVR is available on the Professional plan and above.
Can I record my calls?
Yes. Call recording is available on the Professional plan and above. You can enable recording per extension (outbound) or per phone number (inbound). Recordings can be streamed in your browser or downloaded.
What is workflow automation?
Workflow automation lets you create rules that trigger actions automatically. For example, when a call is missed, automatically create a follow-up task, send an SMS, or notify a team member. Available on the Enterprise plan.
Billing & Payments
How does billing work?
LeanPBX uses a prepaid balance system. You add funds to your account, and charges are deducted as you use the service. Your subscription plan and phone number fees are billed automatically on the 1st of each month. Call charges are deducted in real time based on per-minute rates.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards as well as PayPal.
Is there a long-term contract?
No. All plans are month-to-month with no long-term commitments. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel at any time.
What happens if my balance runs out?
You can set up low balance alerts and auto top-up to avoid running out. If your monthly billing fails due to insufficient balance, the system retries for three days. If all attempts fail, your account is temporarily suspended until you add funds. Once funded, service is restored automatically.
Can I switch plans at any time?
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time from your account settings. Plan changes take effect immediately with prorated billing for the remainder of the current month.
Support
How do I get help?
You can browse our Help Center for guides and tutorials, open a support ticket from your dashboard, or email us at support@leanpbx.com.
Is there a knowledge base?
Yes. Our Help Center has step-by-step articles covering every feature — from getting started to advanced call routing and CRM workflows. Contextual help is also available inside the dashboard on every page.