6 Best Grasshopper Alternatives for 2022

Grasshopper is among the leading small business phone systems with its intuitive voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) platform and affordable plans. However, it has feature limitations. For example, those who need video conferencing and advanced call management features—like auto-attendants—must look for an alternative. In this guide, we discussed the six best Grasshopper alternatives to help you look for the perfect match for your business.

• Google Voice: Best overall for freelancers and solopreneurs who need a budget-friendly calling solution
• RingCentral: Perfect for scaling businesses that want to combine their phone, messaging, and conferencing into a robust single service
• Phone.com: Made for small- to mid-sized teams with low call volumes that want a more cost-effective VoIP service
• Vonage: Ideal for companies that need a comprehensive calling solution with file sharing for better collaboration
• Talkroute: Fitting for organizations with higher than average call volumes looking for a VoIP platform with team-centric call management features
• eVoice: Excellent choice for solopreneurs and small teams looking for a basic business phone system that offers customized plans

Google Voice: Best Overall Grasshopper Alternative for Small Businesses

Google Voice provides a straightforward VoIP platform that you can easily integrate with other Google Workspace apps, such as Calendar, Meet, and Gmail. It features basic communication functionalities at affordable monthly fees, such as calls, texts, and voicemails. While it lacks inclusions like toll-free numbers, Google Voice is enough for those looking for a simple VoIP platform to manage business communications.

Unlike Grasshopper, Google Voice lacks the availability of a multi-extension support for bigger teams. While it offers 24/7 support for those subscribed to the paid plan, it doesn’t offer the same for free Google Voice users. Forums and online documentation are available for users wanting to troubleshoot and fix their issues.

Google Voice Pricing at a Glance

• Personal: Free for one user only
• Starter: $10 per user, per month for up to 10 users, 10 domestic locations, unlimited calling and SMS, and Google integrations
• Standard: $20 per user, per month for unlimited users and domestic locations, a multi-level auto-attendant, desk phone support, and ring groups; eDiscovery is also available for calls, voicemail, and SMS records
• Premium: $30 per user, per month for unlimited users, domestic locations, international locations, and advanced reporting

Google Voice Features

• Multi-channel communications: Enjoy unlimited calling and texts to the U.S. and voicemails with Google Voice.
• Google Workspace apps integrations: Add more functionalities—like video conferencing—into its platform by seamlessly integrating it into all of your existing Google Workspace apps.
• Affordable pricing: Enjoy one of the most affordable entry-level pricing plans in the industry today.

Read our Google Voice review for more information and determine if it’s the VoIP solution you are looking for.

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RingCentral: Best Grasshopper Alternative for Unified Communications

RingCentral is among the most comprehensive communications platforms providing text messaging, VoIP calling, team messaging, and video conferencing features. Its capabilities don’t just end in its offered tools, but it also makes it more powerful with hardware support, third-party software integrations, and open APIs.

Those looking for a robust communication software will find RingCentral appealing, while small teams with limited VoIP needs may be overwhelmed by its set of features. It also has a somewhat outdated user interface that some users dislike. Since its pricing isn’t in the lowest range, you can check out eVoice, which offers lower fees, starting at $14 per user, per month.

RingCentral Pricing at a Glance*

• Essentials: $29.99 per user, per month with up to 20 users and 100 toll-free minutes; unlimited domestic calls, unlimited business SMS, and team messaging are included, as well as basic features like voicemail-to-text and file sharing
• Standard: $34.99 per user, per month with no limit on users and 1,000 toll-free minutes; expands features to include unlimited internet fax and audio conferencing, as well as 100-participant video meetings and basic customer relationship management (CRM) integrations
• Premium: $44.99 per user, per month with no limit on users and 2,500 toll-free minutes; includes functionality like advanced call management, single sign-on (SSO), 200-participant video meetings, advanced integrations, and access to open APIs
• Ultimate: $59.99 per user, per month with no limit on users and 10,000 toll-free minutes; includes unlimited storage, device status reports, and alerts

*Pricing is calculated based on an annual billing basis for one user. Monthly rates are available on RingCentral’s pricing page.

RingCentral Features

• Advanced call handling: While Grasshopper provides its full feature set in all plans, it still doesn’t offer RingCentral’s more advanced call management features. These capabilities include monitor, whisper, barge, takeover, user groups, overflow call queues, and role-based access control.
• Robust open APIs and integrations: Make RingCentral even more powerful with open APIs and extensive documentation. This provider also allows you to add functionalities by integrating its platform with your existing third-party tools.
• Hotdesking: RingCentral enables users to access their voicemails, extensions, greetings, and other features from a shared phone.

If you are interested in learning more about RingCentral’s comprehensive set of features, check out our RingCentral reviews page. However, if you are stuck between these two platforms, read our head-to-head RingCentral vs Grasshopper comparison for more information.

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Phone.com: Best Low-cost Grasshopper Alternative for Teams

Phone.com comes with everything Grasshopper has to offer, and more features—like video conferencing and advanced call management controls—at more affordable prices. Additionally, it features pooled call minutes and texts, which Basic Users under one account can consume. You may also purchase minutes or features as needed.

While Phone.com has a lot of excellent strengths, it still has its fair share of weaknesses. It offers international phone numbers, unlike Nextiva, but it doesn’t have options for all locations. Moreover, Grasshopper has a more modern user interface that’s easier to navigate. When it comes to pricing, its entry-level limited plans are perfect for those on a budget and prefer to pay for what they use, but it can get expensive as you add more users.

Phone.com Pricing at a Glance*

• Basic Users: $10.39 per user, per month for 300 pooled minutes, 1,000 pooled texts, and access to all Phone.com’s standard features
• Plus Users: $15.99 per user, per month for unlimited minutes, unlimited texts, and voicemail-to-text functionality
• Pro Users: $23.99 per user, per month for video transcriptions, call analytics and recording, and CRM integrations

*Pricing is on an annual basis. Monthly pricing is available on Phone.com’s website.

Phone.com Features

• Live receptionist: Have a real person answer your calls and guide callers to the right extension or voicemail box for an additional $90 per month.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance: Phone.com works best with healthcare organizations as it complies with HIPAA policies and protocols—securing your data and conversations.
• Vanity numbers: Make your contact information easy to remember and match your branding with custom-made vanity numbers.

Torn between the two providers? Learn more in our Phone.com vs Grasshopper article to find out which one is best for you.

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Vonage: Best Grasshopper Alternative With File Sharing

Vonage is a robust unified communications as a service (UCaaS) VoIP platform for scaling businesses. It features affordable plans made for small and remote teams up to enterprises with advanced call management needs. All plans come with unlimited team messaging that lets you share files and communicate with your colleagues through voice, video, and texts.

Vonage’s pricing page is not as straightforward as other providers, like Google Voice. Vonage displays all features, but some of these advanced capabilities—like call recording—are available as add-ons. Users must take note of the additional fees for these added functionalities.

Vonage Pricing at a Glance*

• Mobile: $19.99 per user, per month for unlimited calling, texting, and team messaging
• Premium: $29.99 per user, per month for video conferencing, multi-level auto-attendants, CRM integrations, and IP desk phone capabilities
• Advanced: $39.99 per user, per month for call recording, group calls, visual voicemail, and a white glove setup

*Pricing is calculated based on an annual billing basis for one expected user.

Vonage Features

• Call Announce: Determine the reason for a call before you pick up through Call Announce alerts, which whisper an audible version of the custom tag associated with the caller.
• Call Flip: Seamlessly transfer answered calls from your desk to mobile or mobile to desk with only a single button touch.
• Comprehensive call management control: Take full call control with Vonage’s complete management capabilities, such as park, queue, wait, hold, route, forward, monitor, and continue calls.

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Talkroute: Best Alternative for Teams With Heavy Call Volumes

Talkroute is a virtual phone system that provides call center features at affordable prices. It is also one of the top virtual phone number providers for its robust platform, and is great for businesses with high call volumes. Though it isn’t like Grasshopper, which provides all features in all plans, Talkroute is still cost-effective even when you need to upgrade to a more expensive subscription tier.

Though Talkroute is worth considering for U.S.-based businesses, those with limited budgets and an international presence must look at its alternatives. Unlike Grasshopper, Talkroute doesn’t allow outgoing overseas calling. Additionally, other basic features, such as call menu capabilities, are only available at more expensive tiers. Talkroute is also weak in terms of third-party app integrations; those who find this important must look at its alternatives, like RingCentral.

Talkroute Pricing at a Glance*

• Basic: $19 per month for one local or toll-free number, one account user, and 500 monthly text messages
• Plus: $39 per month for two local or toll-free numbers, three account users, unlimited texting, automated attendants, hours of operation, and call blasts
• Pro: $59 per month for three local or toll-free numbers, 10 account users, call recording, analytics, and unlimited multi-digit extensions
• Enterprise: Pricing is available upon request for over 10 local or toll-free numbers, 20 account users, voice-over services, and software integrations

*Pricing is calculated based on a monthly basis.

Talkroute Features

• Voice Studio: Receive professional in-house voice-over services for up to five audio clips within one to three business days from the date of information submission.
• Call center functionality: Handle high call volumes with ease by utilizing call center features such as shared inboxes, call transfers, scheduling, and forwarding.
• Phone numbers: Unlike some providers’—like Grasshopper—limited options, Talkroute lets you choose from a wide range of toll-free, vanity, 800, and local virtual numbers.

Read our extensive Talkroute review to find out if this provider is the best option for your business.

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eVoice: Best Grasshopper Alternative for Customized Plans

eVoice is a business phone system that provides generous call minutes in its affordable entry-level plan. It comes with standard features, like call forwarding, voicemail, custom greetings, call screening, and advanced call routing. It is best for those who want to pay only for what they use. It allows you to create a customized plan and add the premium features needed.

While its customized a la carte pricing is impressive for small teams, this factor alone cannot be enough for those with more advanced needs. If you need more collaboration features and an easy-to-use, straightforward platform, then you can check out Nextiva or RingCentral instead.

eVoice Pricing at a Glance*

• Elite: $14 per user, per month, for one user with 30,000 call minutes and three toll-free or local numbers
• Elite 6: $13 per user, per month, for up to six users with 30,000 call minutes and 18 toll-free or local numbers
• Elite 10: $10 per user, per month, for up to 10 users with 30,000 call minutes and 30 toll-free or local numbers
• Elite 11: $13.50 per user, per month, for up to 11 users with 30,000 call minutes and 33 toll-free or local numbers

*Prices are calculated based on monthly billing. Annual discounts are available and are published on eVoice’s pricing page.

eVoice Features

eVoice allows users to expand its capabilities through paid add-ons, such as:

• Voicemail-to-text: eVoice transcribes your voicemail messages and sends the transcription to you through email or SMS text.
• Call recording: eVoice lets you manually or automatically record inbound and outbound calls for training, documentation, and strategy purposes.
• Web conferencing: eVoice allows users to host a web conference for up to 95 participants for presentations, live demonstrations, training, and collaboration. You may share your screens and enable webcams in these web conferences.

Read our comprehensive eVoice vs Grasshopper comparison to find out which matches your business better.

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How We Evaluated the Best Grasshopper Alternatives

Today’s businesses aren’t limited to location, and this evolution also leads to the improvement of available communications solutions. VoIP allows business owners to stay connected from anywhere, at any time. However, not all technologies can provide your exact needs; that’s why there are numerous factors to consider when choosing a VoIP platform.

The perfect business phone system for your business must balance features, ease of use, and affordability. Therefore, Grasshopper alternatives must be affordable, feature-rich, and easy to use.

We used a rubric to compare top competitors, and Google Voice came out on top as the best overall Grasshopper alternative for small businesses with a score of 4.18 out of 5. Google Voice’s affordable pricing plans (plus its free plan) deliver user-friendly communication solutions and top-notch Google integrations at a fraction of the cost.

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Learn more about how we determined our scores by clicking on the following tabs:

Bottom Line

Grasshopper is an excellent choice for small teams, freelancers, and solopreneurs. However, as your business grows, you also need upgraded solutions to satisfy your needs. Good thing there are numerous platforms available for various use cases, budgets, industries, and business sizes.

Google Voice’s straightforward platform makes it the best alternative for basic business communication needs. Additionally, its integration with Google’s widely used apps, like Gmail and Calendar, makes it easier for users to manage their workflows more efficiently. Check out Google Voice’s free personal plan to test it out, or try one of its paid plans if your business is ready for more call management tools.

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