RingCentral vs Grasshopper: Which Is Better for Your Small Business?

Both RingCentral and Grasshopper are excellent call management solutions. You get one or more toll-free or local numbers and other standard business phone features for a low monthly cost. Each provider has been in business since 2003 and offers mobile apps and browser-based calling.

However, these cloud-based business phone systems use different pricing models, including fees for various services. When comparing RingCentral vs Grasshopper, it’s essential to consider your desired communication methods and features, then see which plans give you the best price for everything you want.

Although it’s a tough decision, RingCentral delivers a reliable system perfect for small tech-savvy business owners.

• RingCentral: Best for entrepreneurs wanting integrations and a feature-rich phone system
• Grasshopper: Best for small companies needing unlimited extensions at a lower price point

RingCentral vs Grasshopper Overview

Takeaway: Grasshopper is a reliable virtual phone system at a lower price point. Like RingCentral, it includes short messaging service (SMS) and mobile apps. However, RingCentral offers different features as a standalone voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) system, like document sharing and team messaging.

How We Evaluated RingCentral & Grasshopper

To compare the two business phone providers, we looked at ease of use and types of calling features. Plus, we checked out self-service options to ensure all functions were easy to use or get support for.

Other criteria used during our evaluation include:

• Overall costs for different-sized businesses
• Call management services
• Mobile apps
• Special features
• Integrations
• Scalability
• Customer service
• Compliance and security

RingCentral and Grasshopper both deliver excellent call services and great features like business texting. With both solutions, you can start taking calls today. Yet, RingCentral provides a virtual private branch exchange (PBX) system and advanced call handling features, perfect for busy startups or business owners looking for small business VoIP services.

When to Use RingCentral

If you want a phone system with video meetings and document-sharing capabilities, RingCentral is a good choice. The most popular package starts at $54.99 per user, so a two-person phone system costs $109.98, but you can save up to $20 by paying yearly. And this package is chock-full of features like automatic call recording and Salesforce integration.

RingCentral Pros & Cons

RingCentral Pricing

RingCentral offers monthly or yearly subscription plans. If you make annual payments, you can save up to 33%. The company also provides volume discounts.

The following prices are based on one user. However, if you buy subscriptions for two to 20 users, your price goes down by $10 a month.

RingCentral pricing includes:

• Essentials: For $39.99 per month for one user, you get message and phone features like 100 toll-free minutes, voicemail-to-text, team messaging, document sharing, call forwarding, screening, and presence data.
• Standard: For $49.99 per month for one user, this package adds features such as audio conferencing, video meetings with up to 100 participants, integrations with Slack, Office 365, and Google Workspace. Plus, it adds a multilevel auto-attendant and 24/7 support.
• Premium: For $54.99 a month for one user, this plan offers automatic call recording, advanced call handling features, real-time analytics, Salesforce and Zendesk integrations, hotdesking capabilities, and video meetings with up to 200 participants.
• Ultimate: For $69.99 a month for one user, this configuration is for companies that need to oversee device usage and status, and want unlimited cloud storage.

Why RingCentral Is Better for Entrepreneurs Wanting Advanced Features

• Robust call management: RingCentral gives you a full-scale phone system starting with its lowest-priced plan. Tools like call forwarding, transferring, and answering rules allow you to customize the customer experience from the first ring. With call park, presence, and notification, it’s easy to keep an eye on your call management.
• Integrations: Having access to customer data from your customer relationship management (CRM) program or connecting to Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft Outlook helps sales teams access the information they need for stellar support.
• Video meetings: With RingCentral’s video meeting capabilities, you can drop other software and handle video conferences right from your RingCentral account. This tool includes screen sharing, private and public chat, and high-definition (HD) video and voice.
• Mobile office: Use the mobile app for iOS or Android to take calls or read shared documents from anywhere. Each user has their own number, voicemail box, and personal greetings that can be forwarded to other devices or other employees.

If you’d like to learn more about RingCentral and its features and pricing, visit our RingCentral reviews page.

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When to Use Grasshopper

Grasshopper is a well-known virtual phone system provider that offers a super-easy setup and friendly mobile apps. Grasshopper provides three plans, starting at $29 for one phone number and three extensions, but you’ll save up to 10% with an annual subscription. You can forward your extensions to other business partners, making Grasshopper a good choice to save money and get the basics wrapped up into an intuitive platform.

Grasshopper Pros & Cons

Grasshopper Pricing

Grasshopper offers three plans, and all come with identical features. With Grasshopper, you’re paying one monthly fee for a set number of phone numbers and lines, unlike RingCentral pricing that charges a per-user fee. The following configurations are based on month-to-month payments:

• Solo: For $29 per month, you get one phone number and three extensions, and Grasshopper says it’s great for a side gig or solopreneur.
• Partner: Pay $49 per month to get three phone numbers and up to six extensions, perfect for companies with one to three employees.
• Small Business: For $89 per month, Grasshopper provides five phone numbers and unlimited extensions.

Why Grasshopper Is Better for Teams Needing a Simple Solution

• Low cost: Grasshopper’s pricing plans let you forward your extensions to other numbers with unlimited users, so you could save quite a bit compared to RingCentral’s per-user plan. For solopreneurs or small companies needing mobility without advanced tools, then the inexpensive Grasshopper plans work well.
• Ease of use: It takes four steps to set up the Grasshopper phone system. There aren’t any complex phone trees or processes. Instead, you add your numbers, extensions, and greeting and start taking calls. This friendly user interface is a big reason why so many people choose Grasshopper.
• Delivers the basics in all plans: For essential call management capabilities, like call routing, auto-attendant, voicemail, and on-hold music, Grasshopper has you covered. It’s a no-hassle way to quickly route calls to your existing cell phone and present a professional appearance.

Learn more about Grasshopper’s features and pricing by visiting our Grasshopper reviews page.

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RingCentral vs Grasshopper: Which Is Better Overall for Small Businesses?

If you’re on a tight budget and need basic phone service for several employees, without integrations with your CRM or project management software, then you can save big by going with Grasshopper. However, if you’re a solopreneur or small team wanting to leverage advanced features to gain a competitive advantage, RingCentral fits the bill.

Although these virtual providers differ, with both solutions, you get:

• Unlimited business SMS: Your customers want to reach you from whatever method they feel comfortable with, and nowadays, text messaging is the winner. With unlimited SMS, you can receive messages and respond to your clients via text.
• Customizable greetings: Grasshopper and RingCentral let you personalize your greetings for each voicemail box, and you get one voicemail box per business phone number.
• Intuitive mobile apps: Both services offer an easy-to-use mobile app available for download to your Android or iOS phone, or you can use any web browser from your desktop using a softphone.
• Call management capabilities: Route callers to the right people with custom extensions or add a directory so your clients can choose the person or department they need. Both solutions provide simultaneous call handling and forwarding.

When to Use a RingCentral or Grasshopper Alternative

People may choose a RingCentral or Grasshopper alternative for several reasons. First, if the cost is a crucial factor, and you don’t have a high volume of incoming calls, it may make more sense to choose a free or low-cost virtual phone provider. If you want unified communications with collaboration tools, you may opt for VoIP services with enterprise-grade features.

Consider which features you need to support your team and customers. Then compare several phone systems to determine if RingCentral or one of the other RingCentral alternatives is a good fit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are VoIP & virtual phone systems different?

Yes, there are some subtle differences, although many use the two terms interchangeably. A VoIP system provides you with a phone number, and virtual phone services send data through your internet connection. You may use Wi-Fi while traveling, your cell phone data, or business wireless services. A VoIP system can replace an existing business phone system.

A virtual phone number may work anywhere with an internet connection, like your home Wi-Fi or cell phone. But it typically doesn’t replace your current phone system. Instead, it routes calls to your cell phone using your mobile services.

Do small business phone analytics matter?

A company that receives few phone calls or has a limited number of employees finds it easier to track call performance. But once you add multiple devices, extensions, and remote team members, you may need extra insight into your services. Analytics gives you data about call volume, times, and length while providing insights into how often various team members use the services.

Can I buy professionally recorded greetings?

Yes, Grasshopper and RingCentral both offer professionally recorded greetings. RingCentral partners with Snap Recordings. Packages start at $50 and take about three to four days to create. The Grasshopper Voice Studio provides professional voice greetings for a flat $75 one-time fee.