Business communications are simplified with Ooma. This VoIP service provider is designed with budget-friendly communication solutions for small businesses. Ooma services are structured in the form of 3 monthly subscription plans with 50+ standard features as well as plan-specific features. These features can be accessed through software downloads or through stand-alone devices with pre-installed software. In addition to their monthly plans, Ooma offers a wide range of add-on packs for specific feature access.
Like Ooma, Grasshopper is a business phone communication platform designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses improve their internal and external communication. Services are accessible through monthly subscription plans. All plans are inclusive of features such as unlimited calls to numbers in the USA and Canada, call queue management, voicemail, etc. They differ in the number of phone numbers and extensions available. Subscribers can purchase additional numbers at a monthly rate.
Priced at $19.95 per user per month, the Ooma Essentials plan gives small businesses the ability to leverage VoIP services and access 50+ features. This includes voicemail, ring groups, virtual receptionists and call forwarding.
The Ooma Pro plan has a monthly subscription of $24.95 per user. This upgrade gives businesses access to all the features of the Essentials plan and other add-on features such as call recording and voicemail transcriptions.
In addition to the features of the Pro plan, businesses can access services like integration to Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics 365 and hot desking by upgrading to the Pro+ plan. This plan is priced at $29.95 per user per month.
Ooma starter plans may look cheaper than Grasshopper but a closer comparison of features is required before making a choice.
Entrepreneurs can benefit from the Grasshopper Solo plan. A $28 monthly subscription gives you a new phone number with 3 extensions for unlimited users. This plan includes several important communication features such as incoming call controls, virtual voicemail and call forwarding.
The Partner plan has the same features as the Solo plan but subscribers get 3 business phone numbers with 6 extensions. The numbers can have different area codes.
With 5 phone numbers and unlimited extensions, the Small Business plan is best suited to large enterprises.
Apart from an IP deskphone, Pro and Pro+ subscribers can also use a desktop app to access Ooma services.
On the lines of Ooma plans, all Grasshopper subscribers can access their accounts and handle calls from a desktop app.
Out-of-office calls can be handled through an Ooma app for android and iOS devices.
Mobile connectivity is comparable for Ooma and Grasshopper subscribers.
Users can stay connected through a Grasshopper for Android and iOS devices.
Incoming calls can be routed through a virtual receptionist. Users can customize multi-level menus as required.
Though Grasshopper does not include the same call routing options as Ooma, alternatives are available. Incoming calls can be greeted and routed by an add-on Ruby receptionist service pack.
Ooma subscribers can customize virtual receptionist greetings for all incoming calls.
Step 1. Sign in to the Ooma dashboard as admin and navigate to settings.
Step 2. Set your business hours schedule.
Step 3. Type your greetings and select the text to speech option or upload a recording.
Like Ooma subscribers, Grasshopper users can upload a prerecorded greeting to record a new greeting through the phone/ computer. Grasshopper also has an option to get greetings recorded professionally.
All Ooma plans include call log reports and voicemail. By reading through individual and team call log reports on their dashboards, supervisors can assess their team’s productivity. If needed, these files can be exported as CSV files. To minimize the risk of missing out on a voicemail, all voicemails are forwarded to email inboxes. Supervisors can also initiate three-way calls with customers. However, typical call monitoring features such as call listening, call whispering and call barges are not included in any Ooma plans.
Pro and Pro+ plan subscribers can access voicemail transcriptions for quicker prioritization.
Ooma and Grasshopper have similar call monitoring capabilities. Grasshopper does not include live call monitoring in any of its plans. Instead, supervisors can assess individual and team productivity through reports on call analytics. This includes data on duration of calls, call types, etc. They can also read transcribed voicemail messages. These messages are accessible from user email inboxes for easier access and quicker responses. In addition, though supervisors cannot initiate joining live calls, agents can forward calls to supervisors.
Essential plan subscribers cannot record calls. However, Pro and Pro+ subscribers can record all incoming and outgoing calls.
Selective availability of call recording gives Ooma an advantage over Grasshopper. It is not possible to record calls handled by Grasshopper subscribers.
You can make as many calls as you want within the USA. To make international calls, you will need an add-on international calling pack or your calls will be billed at per minute rates.
Unlike Ooma, Grasshopper subscribers do not need add-on packs for international calling.
Grasshopper subscribers can call numbers in most parts of the USA and Canada without additional billing. However international calls are billed additionally. For example, calls to Spanish numbers starting with 34 are billed at a 3¢ per minute rate.
Businesses can get new business numbers or port their existing number to Ooma. This feature is included in all plans. Users can then make and receive calls and access all Ooma services from IP or analog phones, smartphone apps for Android and iOS devices and chrome extensions for laptops and desktops. The Pro and Pro+ plans also include access to a desktop app for MAC and Windows devices. If required, subscribers can buy Wifi and IP phones from the Ooma website.
Like Ooma, creating a Grasshopper account is easy. You can do so online by porting your current number or choosing a new number. Once the account is created, settings can be customized from the dashboard. You can then use these services from a smartphone or desktop app. Your device must have a working internet connection. Supported landlines can also be set up to make and receive calls with a Grasshopper account.
