Grasshopper pricing guide: Is it really worth it in 2025?

If you’ve been looking for an affordable business phone system, chances are Grasshopper popped up on your radar.

On the surface, it seems like a pretty decent choice – simple setup and a few flexible plans.

But here’s the thing: Grasshopper is one of the oldest systems out there … and it kinda shows.

What most people don’t realize right away is that it’s not as straightforward (or budget-friendly) as it seems.

Also, even though Grasshopper’s virtual phone pricing might seem on par with other providers, its VoIP services are mostly limited to the US and Canada, which can be a dealbreaker if you’re aiming for global reach.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what you’re getting with each Grasshopper VOIP pricing plan, what it costs and what features you can (and can’t) expect. We’ll also be real about where it falls short, especially when it comes to modern business needs.

Let’s talk Grasshopper Pricing: And what you’re actually getting

So you’re checking out Grasshopper and wondering,

“Is this thing worth it?”

Fair question.

Grasshopper VOIP pricing might look simple, but once you dig in, it’s a bit of a different story.

Here’s how the plans stack up:

True Solo – $14/month (if billed annually)

Perfect for: One-person shows who want something basic

You get:

• 1 phone number
• 1 extension
• 1 user
• Access to mobile and desktop apps
• VoIP & WiFi calling
• Voicemail transcription
• Custom greetings
• Instant response & virtual fax

What you don’t get:

• No extra users
• No extra extensions
• No call transfers
• No shared inboxes or call transcriptions
• Texting is extra

So yeah, it’s minimal. Great if you just want a number and nothing fancy. But if you plan to grow, you’ll outgrow this real quick.

Solo Plus – $25/month (if billed annually)

Perfect for: Small teams that need more flexibility (but not too much)

You get:

• Everything in True Solo
• Unlimited users
• 3 extensions
• Call transfers
• Simultaneous call handling (hello, call forwarding tree!)

What’s still missing:

• Only 3 extensions (extra ones cost $5/mo each)
• No next-level features like CRM integrations, shared numbers or AI-powered anything

Small Business – $55/month (if billed annually)

Perfect for: Teams who want more numbers and extensions.

You get:

• Everything from Solo Plus
• 4 business numbers
• Unlimited extensions

Still kind-a MIA:

• Any advanced business features (think call routing rules, shared inboxes, app integrations or international calling)

A quick reality check

No matter which Grasshopper phone pricing plan you choose, you’re still looking at extra fees for:

• Additional phone numbers ($9/mo)
• Extra extensions (on Solo Plus, $5/mo)
• Text messaging setup ($19 one-time + $1.50/mo ongoing)

Grasshopper’s pricing sounds affordable until you start adding up the extras. And if your team grows or you need real integrations and smarter tools, you’ll quickly find yourself looking for something more flexible.

Need a Grasshopper alternative that grows with your business? There are better, smarter tools out there. (like iTeleCenter)

Things to know before you go all-in on Grasshopper

Thinking of signing up for Grasshopper as your business phone system?

Before you hit that “Buy Now” button, here are a few reasons why Grasshopper might not be the best fit for some businesses.

1. UI feels like a blast from the past

The Grasshopper interface? Let’s just say it hasn’t aged like fine wine. It’s been around for a while, and it looks like it.

Navigating the dashboard feels more like deciphering something rather than running a business.

And when you do finally get the hang of it? Get ready for buggy behavior, dropped calls and app crashes.

2. You get the basics… and not much else

If you’re just starting out, a simple phone plan can do the job. But as your business grows, you’re going to need a few more things.

Need to automate replies, send quick text snippet or handle a flood of incoming calls without losing your mind? Yeah, not happening here.

By the time your team’s overwhelmed and stuck in a bottleneck, switching platforms is gonna feel like a big pain.

3. Coaching your team? Good luck with that

Sure, Grasshopper lets you record calls if you’re on the right plan.

But those recordings vanish after 30 days. And if you’re trying to coach someone or flag a specific part of a convo? There’s no call transcription to help you out. You’ll have to scrub through the entire recording like it’s a podcast.

4. One text inbox to rule them all… literally

All incoming texts go to one team member. Just one. There’s no smart routing or splitting things up evenly. That person becomes the designated “text handler”

5. Texting is… limited, to say the least

Need to text international customers? Or send a quick photo, doc or video?

With Grasshopper, the answer might be: “Sorry, can’t do”

Here’s a quick rundown:

• You can’t text internationally.
• You can’t send MMS to Canadian numbers using toll-free lines.
• You can’t group text unless you’re using a local number.

So, unless your customer base is 100% local and only wants to text in black-and-white emojis… things could get slightly messy.

Feature comparison

See how iTeleCenter stacks up against Grasshopper

Features	iTeleCenter	Grasshopper
Plans start at	$19.95/mo	$18/mo
Free local or toll-free number	✅	✅
Unlimited calling	✅	✅
Call forwarding	✅	✅
SMS & MMS text messaging	✅	✅
Business voicemail	✅	✅
Voicemail to text	✅	✅
Set business hours	✅	✅
Virtual receptionist	✅	✅
Phone extensions	✅	✅
Conference calling	✅	✅
Call recording	✅	❌
Free trial	14-days	7-days
Additional phone numbers	$5 per number	$10 per number
Virtual fax	✅	Only inbound
Professional custom phone greeting recording*	✅	$75/order
SMS keywords	✅	❌
Phone number porting	Free	Free
VoIP + Wi-Fi calling	✅	✅
Auto reply by text	✅	✅
Call analytics	✅	✅
Mobile apps (iOS & Android)	✅	✅
Web-app	✅	❌
Dedicated onboarding and support	✅	❌

iTeleCenter: The Grasshopper alternative built to actually grow with you

If you’re just getting started, Grasshopper might feel like a decent fit. It gives you a number, an app and the basics. But once your business starts picking up steam, the cracks start to show – limited features, extra fees and a system that just doesn’t scale with your needs.

That’s exactly why thousands of growing businesses switch to iTeleCenter.

With iTeleCenter, you get:

• A new local / toll free number (or keep your current number!)
• Smart features like auto-replies, call forwarding, call recording, virtual receptionist and 30+ other features
• Transparent pricing (no weird fees for texting or extensions)

Plus, you can use iTeleCenter on desktop, mobile or web – so your team can stay connected from anywhere.

Try it free for 14 days.

You’ll see the difference before your trial even ends.

Frequently asked questions