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

October 10, 2023
phone system for small business

Step into the showdown: Vonage vs. Grasshopper. Discover the ideal communication contender for your business. Let the battle unfold!

Introducing Vonage, a game-changer in communication. Through a cloud-based platform, it merges voice, video, and text, enhancing global connections and simplifying remote teamwork. Discover contact center solutions and programmable APIs, with a choice of three user-based plans.

Now, let's acknowledge the presence of our next fighter on the other side: Grasshopper, Here professionalism meets affordability. Tailored for entrepreneurs and small businesses, it presents endless USA and Canada calls/texts, call queue management, extensions, and more. Plans vary with phone and extension numbers.

Compare Vonage and Grasshopper plans and features

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Vonage offers more value for money putting it ahead of Grasshopper

Vonage Mobile plans, priced at $19.99 per month per line, are inclusive of mobile and desktop apps with unlimited calls to domestic numbers and team messaging.

The Vonage Premium plan is priced at $29.99 per month per line. It includes all the features of the Mobile plan along with a multi-level auto attendant, CRM integration, unlimited meetings with up to 100 participants and IP desk phone support.

The Vonage Advanced plan includes many more productivity features. Priced at $39.99 per month per line, it includes on-demand call recording, group calls and visual voicemail.
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While Vonage plans appear cheaper than Grasshopper, businesses must also compare features before making a choice.

Entrepreneurs can find value in the Grasshopper True Solo and Solo Plus plans. For just $16 per month, the True Solo subscription offers access to a variety of services via 1 extension (or 3 with Solo Plus).

For businesses in need of additional extensions, there's the Partner plan, which includes 3 phone numbers and 6 extensions.

Opting for the Small Business plan grants subscribers access to 5 phone numbers and unlimited extensions.
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A step-by-step comparison between Vonage 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

Absence of deskphone support holds Grasshopper back

Calls can be made and received through a desktop application for Mac and Windows devices. It also supports desk phones.

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Vonage and Grasshopper take similar approaches to office connectivity.

A desktop app for MAC and Windows devices can be used to access Grasshopper services.

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#2 Manage Your Calls On The Go

Vonage and Grasshopper; both offer mobile apps for seamless connectivity

Calls can be made and received through an app for Android and iOS devices.

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Like Vonage subscribers, Grasshoppers with Android and iOS devices can install and use an app to make and receive calls.

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#3 Auto-attendant

Ruby receptionist service availability puts Grasshopper in the lead

Auto-attendant is not available in the Mobile plan.

In the Premium and Advanced plans, a multi-level auto attendant can route incoming calls as required.

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While call routing is not included in starter plans by either Vonage or Grasshopper, there are differences in how they approach it.

While the IVR feature is not included in Grasshopper plans, a Ruby receptionist service add-on pack is available to all subscribers.

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#4 Greetings Management

Online message recording options with both service providers but Grasshopper scores more for access to professional voice artists

Greetings for virtual receptionists, call groups, call queues and extensions can be customized from the Vonage dashboard.

1. Sign in as admin.

2. Click on the phone system and the feature to be managed.

3. Upload a recorded message or record a new message.

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Greetings can be customized in multiple ways by Vonage and Grasshopper. Options available to Grasshopper subscribers include uploading a recorded message, recording the message through a phone call or the computer microphone or having it professionally recorded at an additional fee.

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#5 Call Tracking

Easier call management and metrics with Vonage

All of Vonage's plans provide an easy, real-time view of all account statuses as well as detailed call logs from the phone dashboard. At a glance, you can tell which extension is in use, call times and caller ID information. You can tell which extension is ringing, which is busy on a call and which is idling. With call conferencing, you can easily join an ongoing call or take it over from an agent. You can also access voicemails transcriptions in your email inbox to assess calls and prioritize responses.

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There are several similarities between how Vonage and Grasshopper approach call monitoring. Grasshopper does not include live call listening, call whispering, call joining or call takeovers in any of their plans. However, whenever required, agents can forward calls to supervisors and let them speak to the customer. Calls that cannot be answered are sent to voicemail. These voicemail messages are transcribed and made accessible through email. This helps shorten the response time. Grasshopper also provides reports on call analytics such as the average duration of calls, call types, etc. to help supervisors assess their team’s productivity.

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#6 Call Recording

Access to limited call recording gives Vonage the advantage

Call recording is not included in the Mobile and Premium plans, but may be purchased as an add on pack.



Incoming and outgoing calls may be recorded in the Advanced plan. This is limited to 15 hours of conversation.

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You can create an account with Dialpad from the website and use the Dialpad services by downloading the application to your smartphone or desktop. This account can be set up with a new number or you can port your existing number. Dialpad also supports certain IP desk and room phones by Obihai, Polycom and Yealink. These devices and adapters can be purchased from the admin settings on your Dialpad dashboard or from brand retailers.

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#7 Call Billing

International calling easier with Grasshopper

Calls to the USA and Canada are unlimited. Businesses can choose from a range of add on international calling packs for calls to other destinations.

Vonage and Grasshopper differ in their treatment of international call billing.

Irrespective of the plan chosen, all Grasshopper plans are inclusive of unlimited calling to most parts of the USA and Canada. Other calls are billed on usage. For example, calls to Grenada are billed at 95¢ per minute.

#8 Activation

No distinction in setup process for Vonage and Grasshopper

You can create a Vonage account online. As you set up your account, you can allot company numbers, add and define user roles and configure extensions. Accounts can be activated automatically or any time within 45 days of signing up for the service. Any user can use Vonage services through applications for mobile and desktop devices. Premium and Advanced plan users also have the option of using IP desk phones. If you do not have a desk phone that supports VoIP calling, you can order phones from the Vonage website before or after setting up your account.

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Businesses need to follow similar steps to create Vonage and Grasshopper accounts.

When creating a Grasshopper account, you can either port an existing number or get a new number. Accounts can be accessed from smartphone and desktop apps for all devices as long as they have a working internet connection. Supported landlines with a calling card feature can also be used to make and receive calls.

phone system for small business