Ringcentral vs Grasshopper: Which Voip Is Best for You?
Choosing the right business phone system can feel overwhelming. With so many options, how do you know which one is the perfect fit for your specific needs and budget? Two popular contenders in the VoIP space, RingCentral and Grasshopper, offer compelling solutions, but they cater to slightly different audiences.
This comparison dives deep into the features, pricing, and overall user experience of RingCentral and Grasshopper. We’ll explore their strengths and weaknesses, helping you make an informed decision about which platform aligns best with your business goals. Whether you’re a solopreneur or a growing enterprise, understanding the nuances of each service is crucial.
Get ready to discover the key differences between RingCentral and Grasshopper, from call quality and features to integrations and customer support. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which VoIP provider will empower your business to communicate effectively and efficiently. Let’s get started!
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | RingCentral | Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Number Porting | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Phone Numbers | Yes | Yes |
| Call Routing | Advanced | Basic |
| Voicemail to Text | Yes | Yes |
| Call Recording | Yes | Yes |
| Business SMS | Yes | Yes |
| Call Analytics | Comprehensive | Limited |
| Integrations | Extensive | Limited |
| Video Conferencing | Yes | No |
| Team Messaging | Yes | No |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-Attendant | Yes | Yes |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Call Management
- Ring Central: RingCentral offers robust call management features, including call routing, call forwarding, call recording, and advanced analytics. It excels with features like call queues and interactive voice response (IVR) systems. However, its complex interface can be overwhelming for some users.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper focuses on simplicity in call management, providing features like call forwarding, custom greetings, and extensions. It’s easy to set up and use, making it ideal for small businesses. However, its call management functionality is less comprehensive than RingCentral.
- Winner: RingCentral
Virtual Numbers
- Ring Central: RingCentral provides a wide range of virtual number options, including local, toll-free, and vanity numbers, with options for multiple numbers per user. It generally offers good availability but pricing can vary.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper specializes in virtual numbers, offering local and toll-free options. Its focus on virtual numbers makes it easy to acquire and manage them. However, it may have fewer options than RingCentral regarding international availability.
- Winner: Grasshopper
Mobile App
- Ring Central: RingCentral’s mobile app is feature-rich, enabling users to make calls, send messages, and manage their business communications from anywhere. Its robust functionality can sometimes lead to a slightly slower performance.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper’s mobile app is streamlined and easy to use, focusing on essential features like making and receiving calls and managing voicemails. Its simplicity makes it user-friendly, but it has fewer advanced features compared to RingCentral.
- Winner: RingCentral
Text Messaging
- Ring Central: RingCentral provides comprehensive business SMS capabilities, including sending and receiving text messages, group messaging, and SMS automation. This is a strong selling point for businesses needing to communicate via text.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper offers basic SMS functionality, allowing users to send and receive text messages. The simplicity makes it easy to use but lacks some of the advanced features of RingCentral, like automation.
- Winner: RingCentral
Video Conferencing
- Ring Central: RingCentral includes integrated video conferencing with features like screen sharing, recording, and breakout rooms. The platform provides a full suite of communication tools.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper does not natively offer video conferencing. Users will need to integrate with a separate video conferencing service, which adds complexity.
- Winner: RingCentral
Integrations
- Ring Central: RingCentral boasts a wide range of integrations with popular business applications, including CRM, productivity, and collaboration tools. This broad integration capability enhances its usability.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper has fewer native integrations compared to RingCentral. The integration options are more limited, potentially requiring workarounds for some businesses.
- Winner: RingCentral
Pricing
- Ring Central: RingCentral’s pricing plans offer a range of features and options, but they can be more expensive, especially for smaller businesses. The cost can vary based on the number of users and features selected.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper generally offers more straightforward and budget-friendly pricing plans, making it attractive for startups and small businesses. Its simpler structure is easier to understand.
- Winner: Grasshopper
Customer Support
- Ring Central: RingCentral provides customer support through various channels, including phone, email, and online resources. Support quality can be inconsistent, with reports of wait times.
- Grasshopper: Grasshopper offers customer support, emphasizing accessibility and responsiveness. Its support is generally considered to be more reliable and faster to respond to queries.
- Winner: Grasshopper
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Overall Features | RingCentral |
| Ease of Use | Grasshopper |
| Integrations | RingCentral |
| Scalability | RingCentral |
| Advanced Call Routing | RingCentral |
What They Have in Common
- Virtual Phone Numbers: Both RingCentral and Grasshopper provide virtual phone numbers, allowing businesses to establish a professional presence without the need for physical phone lines. This includes local and toll-free numbers.
- Voicemail to Text: Both services offer voicemail transcription, converting voicemails into text messages that are delivered to your email or mobile device. This allows for quick and convenient access to messages.
- Mobile Apps: Both RingCentral and Grasshopper offer mobile applications that allow users to make and receive calls, manage voicemails, and access other features from their smartphones.
- Business Sms: Both platforms enable businesses to send and receive text messages, facilitating direct communication with customers and colleagues.
- Number Porting: Users of both services can port their existing phone numbers, ensuring a seamless transition and avoiding the need to notify contacts of a new number.
- Auto-Attendant: Both RingCentral and Grasshopper include an auto-attendant feature, which greets callers and routes them to the appropriate extensions or departments.
Ring Central Vs Grasshopper Buying Guide
Features and Functionality
RingCentral offers a comprehensive suite of features, catering to businesses of all sizes. It excels with its robust call routing, advanced call management, and extensive integrations with popular CRM and productivity tools. Users benefit from features like video conferencing, team messaging, and analytics dashboards, providing a unified communication platform. Grasshopper, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and affordability, primarily offering virtual phone numbers and call forwarding. It’s ideal for solopreneurs and small businesses needing a professional phone presence without complex features. RingCentral is geared towards larger organizations needing extensive functionality, while Grasshopper caters to those prioritizing ease of use and cost-effectiveness.
Pricing and Plans
RingCentral’s pricing structure is more complex, with tiered plans based on the number of users and features included. Pricing varies depending on the plan selected, with options for small businesses to enterprise-level organizations. Grasshopper offers simpler pricing, typically with monthly plans based on the number of phone numbers and minutes used. This straightforward approach makes it easier for users to understand their costs. RingCentral’s higher-tier plans offer more value for larger teams, while Grasshopper’s pricing is more attractive for startups and businesses with minimal calling needs. Consider your budget and anticipated usage when evaluating these two options.
Scalability
RingCentral is designed to scale seamlessly as your business grows. Its infrastructure supports a large number of users and call volumes. As your team expands, you can easily add users and access advanced features. Grasshopper is less scalable compared to RingCentral. While it can accommodate growth, it’s not designed for the same level of expansion. Businesses anticipating rapid growth should favor RingCentral. Grasshopper is a good choice for businesses that expect stable or gradual expansion. Consider your future needs when evaluating the scalability of each platform.
Integrations
RingCentral boasts a wide range of integrations with various business applications, including CRM, productivity, and collaboration tools. This allows for seamless data synchronization and workflow automation. Users can integrate with Salesforce, Microsoft Teams, and other popular platforms. Grasshopper’s integrations are more limited, primarily focusing on basic contact management and email integrations. The availability of integrations impacts your overall productivity and the efficiency of your business. RingCentral’s comprehensive integration capabilities make it a strong choice for businesses that rely on interconnected applications. Grasshopper offers a more lightweight approach to integrations.
Ease of Use
RingCentral, while feature-rich, can have a steeper learning curve, particularly for new users. Its interface is generally well-designed, but the breadth of features can be overwhelming at first. Grasshopper prioritizes simplicity and ease of use. Its interface is intuitive, and setup is quick and straightforward. The ease of use is a critical factor for businesses with limited IT resources or those looking for a quick and easy setup. Grasshopper excels in this area, while RingCentral requires a bit more time to get comfortable with its extensive feature set. Consider the technical skills of your team when choosing.
Customer Support
RingCentral provides comprehensive customer support, including phone, email, and online resources. Support is available for various issues. Grasshopper also offers customer support but its scope is more limited. Support options may vary depending on the plan. Consider the importance of prompt and reliable support for your business. RingCentral’s support is generally more robust, which may be beneficial for businesses that need assistance. Grasshopper’s support is adequate but may not be as comprehensive. Evaluate your support needs when making your decision.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy RingCentral If…
- You need a comprehensive, all-in-one communication solution with advanced features like video conferencing and team messaging.
- You require extensive integrations with other business applications (CRM, etc.).
- You have a larger team and need robust call analytics and reporting.
- You want a unified communications platform that supports both voice and video.
Buy Grasshopper If…
- You’re a small business or startup looking for a simple, affordable virtual phone system.
- Your primary need is call forwarding and voicemail management.
- You don’t require advanced features like video conferencing or extensive integrations.
- You prefer a more straightforward, user-friendly interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary difference between RingCentral and Grasshopper?
The primary difference lies in their focus and capabilities. RingCentral is a full-featured unified communications platform offering a wide array of tools, including video conferencing, team messaging, and advanced call management. Grasshopper, on the other hand, primarily focuses on providing virtual phone numbers and call forwarding services, catering to the needs of smaller businesses and entrepreneurs looking for a simple and affordable phone solution.
Which platform offers better video conferencing?
RingCentral’s video conferencing capabilities are superior. RingCentral offers integrated video conferencing with features like screen sharing, recording, and breakout rooms. Grasshopper does not offer video conferencing as a core feature. Consider RingCentral if video meetings are a key component of your business operations. RingCentral’s video conferencing features are more comprehensive and suitable for larger meetings.
Does RingCentral integrate with my CRM system?
Yes, RingCentral offers robust integrations with various CRM systems, including Salesforce, HubSpot, and others. These integrations allow you to seamlessly log calls, access customer information, and automate workflows, enhancing your sales and customer service processes. This integration streamlines your workflow. Check the specific CRM integrations for full compatibility.
Can I port my existing phone number to Grasshopper or RingCentral?
Yes, both RingCentral and Grasshopper allow you to port your existing phone number to their platform. The process typically involves submitting a port request and providing the necessary information. The porting time varies, but both providers will guide you through the process. Ensure you have the required documentation ready for a smooth transition.
Which platform is better for international calling?
RingCentral generally offers better international calling options, including competitive rates and support for calling to numerous countries. Grasshopper’s international calling capabilities are more limited. RingCentral’s global reach and comprehensive features make it the preferred choice for businesses with international customers or operations. Consider your international calling needs when choosing.
Is Grasshopper suitable for a large enterprise?
Grasshopper is generally not suitable for large enterprises. Its features and infrastructure are designed for smaller businesses and entrepreneurs. RingCentral is a better choice for large enterprises due to its scalability, advanced features, and comprehensive integrations. Grasshopper is not designed to handle the complex communication needs of large organizations.
What kind of customer support does each platform offer?
RingCentral offers comprehensive customer support, including phone, email, and online resources. They provide 24/7 support. Grasshopper also offers customer support. Its support may be more limited in scope. RingCentral generally provides more extensive support resources. Consider your reliance on support when selecting a provider.
Final Verdict
RingCentral offers a more comprehensive and feature-rich unified communications platform suitable for businesses of all sizes, especially those with complex communication needs and a need for integrations. Grasshopper remains a solid choice for solopreneurs and small businesses prioritizing simplicity and affordability. While both providers have their strengths, RingCentral’s breadth of features and scalability make it the better overall solution for most businesses.
Winner: RingCentral