Replacement Guide

How to Build Your Own Channels

Replace Channels with a custom build. Data-powered Business Phone System

Weekend Project
37 features6 integrationsOne weekend

Estimated Timeline

Based on 37 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.

1
Setup & scaffolding
2 hours
2
Core features
4-6 hours
3
Polish & deploy
2 hours

Recommended Tech Stack

Next.js 14

Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components

Supabase

PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions

Tailwind CSS

Utility-first styling for rapid UI development

Key Features to Replicate

Top features across 8 categories. See all 37 features

Call Management(7 features)

Call Distribution Rules

Rules that help you define what happens when you receive an incoming call. You can notify all available agents, a random agent or the one that idles the longest

Call ForwardingPremium

An option that allows you to forward all incoming calls to the external phone number

Customer RecognitionAIPremium

Whenever a call comes in Channels can recognize the customer and display all the crucial details before the call

Do Not Disturb Mode

In this mode, you will not be accepting any incoming calls, even when you will be logged in

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)Premium

Possibility to route your customers to the most appropriate agent based on their choice made on the dial pad at the beginning of the call

+2 more in this category

Reporting(6 features)

Advanced Data ExportPremium

Possibility to use our advanced filters and export only given result

Call Recordings

Calls are recorded and available for you in the web-based panel

Calls History

Ability to see your past contacts in a given time frame

Custom ReportsPremium

Tailor-made reports based on your needs

Data Export

Ability to export your contacts with details about calls

+1 more in this category

Phone Numbers(5 features)

Free Phone NumberPremium

We provide you with a free phone number of your choice

International NumbersPremium

You can get a number from over 60 countries around the world

Number PortingPremium

If you already own a number you can move it to Channels and use it for outgoing and incoming calls

Toll-free NumbersPremium

A free to call number for your customers

Using Your Own NumberPremium

A possibility to use a number you already have for outgoing calls, without the need of porting

User Interface(3 features)

Chrome Extension

An extension that allows you to easily take or make calls. It also highlights all phone numbers on the web page you are on, so you can simply click to make a call

Mobile App

Mobile application for iOS and Android allows you to handle calls on the go

Web-based Panel

An online panel that helps you to manage your account. Available in every browser

Calling(2 features)

Free Incoming CallsPremium

All incoming calls are free of charge. Toll-free numbers excluded

Unlimited Minutes to US & CanadaPremium

Calls made to US & Canada are free of charge, without any limits

Contact Management(2 features)

Contact Tags

Channels allows you to label a particular contact

Custom Notes

Possibility to add a note to a given contact

Integrations(2 features)

API

Channels API allows you to push data into Channels and pull it out from it

WebhooksPremium

With Channels Webhooks you can send data to 3rd party apps based on events that are happening in Channels

Support(2 features)

24/7 Chat SupportPremium

You can chat with us 24/7

24/7 Phone SupportPremium

You can call us at any time

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Channels

Monthly$29/mo
Yearly$348/yr
5-Year Total$1.7k

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~3 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 YearSave $108
SaaS
$348
DIY
$240
3 YearsSave $324
SaaS
$1k
DIY
$720
5 YearsSave $540
SaaS
$1.7k
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 37 features at very easy complexity.

Ready to Build?