8x8 vs Grasshopper: Which one is the best for your business?

October 10, 2023

Witness a battle of giants: 8x8 vs. Grasshopper. Determine the ultimate communication solution for your business. Let the showdown begin!

Step into 8x8: Enhancing business communication via cloud services. Merge voice, video, text on a single platform. Experience unlimited calling, team messaging, call monitoring, analytics. Explore 3 business communication plans and 3 contact center options.

But wait, there's another force to be reckoned with on the other side: Grasshopper, your affordable professional phone realm. Ideal for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it offers unlimited USA and Canada calls/texts, call queue management, extensions, and more. Plans based on phone and extension numbers.

Compare 8x8 and Grasshopper plans and features

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	8x8	Grasshopper
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Price for users	/month	/month
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Pros and Cons
Best For

8x8 better suited for startups while Grasshopper offers large enterprises more value for money

As an all-in-one voice, video and chat platform, the X2 costs subscribers $28 per user per month. The subscription is inclusive of unlimited calling to numbers in 14 countries. It also includes voicemail transcription, app integrations, etc. For $57 per user per month, businesses can subscribe to the 8x8 X4 plan. This subscription allows businesses to call numbers in 48 countries without worrying about costs and gives them access to features such as CRM integrations, call monitoring and supervisor analytics.

8x8 plans start at a lower price point as compared to Grasshopper. Entrepreneurs can find value in the Grasshopper True Solo and Solo Plus plans. For only $16 per month, the True Solo subscription grants access to a range of services through 1 extension (or 3 with Solo Plus). Businesses with a need for additional extensions can upgrade to the Partner plan, which encompasses 3 phone numbers and 6 extensions. Choosing the Small Business plan gives subscribers access to 5 phone numbers along with unlimited extensions.

A step-by-step comparison between 8x8 and Grasshopper

To help you find what solution fits best your need between Zoom Phone and Ringcentral, we have conducted an unbiased comparison based on 8 criterias:

#1 Manage your office calls : How will you handle calls while at the office? Can you use computer-based calls or do you require an office phone?

#2 Manage your calls on the go: Does it offer a mobile app with VoIP calls? Do you need to set up call forwarding to your mobile device?

#3 Auto-attendant : Can you easily distribute calls to your team?

#4 Greetings Management : Can you set up company greetings on your own? How easy is it to create and manage announcements?

#5 Call Tracking : How easy is it to monitor your business calls?

#6 Call recording : Can you record and listen to calls?

#7 Call billing : How much does it cost to make and receive calls? Is everything included?

#8 Activation : How easy is it to activate a phone number and set up your phone system?

COMPARE

Manage Your Office Calls
Manage Your Calls On The Go
Auto-attendant
Greetings Management
Call Tracking
Call recording
Call billing
Activation

#1 Manage Your Office Calls

Availability of deskphone support gives 8x8 an advantage

A desktop app, IP deskphone or web browser can be used by 8x8 subscribers to make and receive calls.

Like 8x8 subscribers, Grasshopper subscribers can use a desktop app to make and receive calls.

#2 Manage Your Calls On The Go

Easy-to-use mobile apps by 8x8 and Grasshopper

You can answer and make calls from anywhere using the 8x8 smartphone app.

Like 8x8, Grasshopper offers an easy-to-use app for Android and iOS devices through which calls can be made and received.

#3 Auto-attendant

automate vs virtual receptionist services as differentiators

X2 and X4 plan subscribers can also route incoming calls through an auto attendant but upgrading to these plans gives subscribers the benefit of multi-level call flows.

In contrast to 8x8 plans, Grasshopper subscribers can get an add-on Ruby virtual receptionist service pack.

#4 Greetings Management

Access to professional voice artists gives Grasshopper the advantage

8x8 subscribers with admin access can customize auto attendant greetings from the Admin console. Step 1. Click Auto Attendants. Step 2. Click the Pencil icon and choose between Weekdays/ Holidays/ Alternate from the Call Handling Menus. Step 3. Select Open Hours Menu/ Closed Hours Menu/ Lunch Hours Menu. Step 4. Click Create Audio Files and upload your recording or record a new greeting.

8x8 and Grasshopper offer similar processes for greeting customization. Subscribers can customize greetings by recording a message, uploading a prerecorded message or having the script voiced and recorded through the Grasshopper Voice Studio.

#5 Call Tracking

Better call management tools from 8x8 compared to Grasshopper

All 8x8 account supervisors can get status reports on devices. This shows them which devices are free and which are busy as well as when and how users access their accounts. The X2 plan allows supervisors to see when agents are free, on a call or unavailable. They can also access voicemail transcriptions from their email inbox to prioritize responses. They can also use advanced moderator controls during audio/ video conference calls. The X4 plan is the only 8x8 business communication plan that gives team supervisors the ability to monitor live calls. They can listen to live calls, talk to inexperienced agents without the other call participant knowing, join a call as a third participant or takeover calls from their agents. They can also read advanced call analytics reports.

8x8 offers a wider range of call monitoring features as compared to Grasshopper. Grasshopper does not offer live call monitoring in any of its plans. That said, agents have the option of forwarding calls to supervisors if they require assistance. In addition, voicemail messages are transcribed and emailed to subscribers for easier access and quicker responses. To help supervisors assess team productivity, Grasshopper offers reports on call analytics with a focus on KPIs such as call type, call duration, etc.

#6 Call Recording

Call recording availability puts 8x8 ahead

The 8x8 X2 and X4 plans include call recording. This feature can be automated or controlled manually.

Unlike 8x8, Grasshopper does not include call recording in any of its plans.

#7 Call Billing

International calling rates by 8x8 and Grasshopper almost at par

International call rates depend on location and the plan chosen. Each plan is inclusive of calls to certain countries. All others are billed according to usage. For example, a call to China is billed at a billed at $0.06 per minute rate.

Like 8x8, Grasshopper includes unlimited calls to certain locations while calls to other locations are billed additionally. Calling numbers within the USA and Canada except for those in Hawaii and Alaska is free for Grasshopper subscribers. Other calls are billed on usage. For example, calls to Milan landline numbers are billed at 65¢ per minute.

#8 Activation

Online signup and account administration for both service providers

You can create an account with 8x8 through the VoIP service provider’s website. Once you have entered your email address and other particulars, you can then define user roles, etc. from the 8x8 dashboard. Users can make and receive calls through free apps for smartphones, laptops and desktops or certain IP desk phones. The latter are available on the 8x8 website.

As with 8x8, businesses can create a new Grasshopper account online. Existing numbers can be ported or you can get a new number on the Grasshopper website. Agents can then access their accounts through smartphone or desktop apps. Supported landline phones can also be used once their calling card feature has been activated. Grasshopper customer support can help with this.

All prices indicated are before tax and all information has been taken from the websites of the companies concerned as of 10/10/2023