Grasshopper vs. Aircall
Skip the per-seat fees and 3-user minimums. Get every core calling and texting feature your small business needs, included, from day one.
Get the best Aircall alternative for small businesses
Grasshopper | Aircall | |
|---|---|---|
Starting price | $14/month flat rate | $30/user/month (min. 3 users required) |
Pricing model | Flat rate. Unlimited users | Per-user. Minimum 3 licenses on most plans |
3-user monthly cost | $25/month (Solo Plus) | $150/month (Essentials) |
Unlimited users | Yes. Solo Plus & Small Business plans | No. Pay per user; most plans require 3-user minimum |
Shared number | Yes. Included on all plans | WhatsApp only (paid add-on, $10/user/month) |
24/7 live human support | Yes. Included on every plan | No. Chat support Mon-Fri only; 24/7 is AI-assisted |
Setup complexity | Simple. Download app, pick a number, and go | Moderate. Built for sales and support teams; AI agent and crm setup requires onboarding |
No minimum users. No per-seat surprises.
Aircall requires a minimum of 3 licenses, even if it’s just you or a two person team. Before your first call, you’re locked into at least $90/month on Essentials or $150/month on Professional.
Grasshopper has no user minimum and no per-seat fees. Plans start at $14/month, and $25/month covers unlimited users.
Here's what the real cost difference looks like:
- 3 users: Grasshopper $25/mo vs. Aircall Essentials $90/mo
- 5 users: Grasshopper $25/mo vs. Aircall Essentials $150/mo
- 10 users: Grasshopper $25/mo vs. Aircall Essentials $300/mo
For a team of five, that's over $1,500 in annual savings with Grasshopper, without giving up the features small businesses really use.
Core features included. From day one.
Every Grasshopper plan includes:
- Unlimited calling and texting. No usage-based charges
- Local, toll-free, and vanity number options
- Shared number and shared inbox for team-wide visibility on every customer interaction
- 24/7 live human support
- Voicemail transcription, to keep track of every call, so nothing slips through the cracks
- Call forwarding, desktop and mobile apps, custom greetings, business hours, advanced analytics, and more!
With Aircall, advanced analytics cost $15/user/month extra, and AI features like call summaries and sentiment analysis add another $9/user/month. This is on top of the $90/month base price. Costs can start to add up quickly, so be sure to do your research.
Up and running in minutes, not days
With Grasshopper, you’re up and running the moment you download the app. Pick your number, set up your extensions, and start taking calls. No IT team, no lengthy onboarding, no waiting.
Aircall is built for sales teams with dedicated ops staff, features like their AI agent and CRM integrations require training and configuration before they work.
Why Grasshopper is the better choice for small businesses
Grasshopper is built around what small businesses need: predictable pricing, no seat minimums, and a phone system ready from day one.
- Flat-rate pricing with no user minimum. Your bill stays the same no matter how your team grows
- Shared number and inbox. Calls, texts, and voicemails in one place for the whole team
- Use desktop and mobile apps on any device
- Reach 24/7 live human support whenever you need it
A virtual phone system in your pocket.
Grasshopper gives you the features you need to stay connected on the go.
Business phone number
Select from our inventory of vanity, local, or toll-free numbers — or port your own number for free.
Customized extensions
Give employees or departments extensions with their own call forwarding options.
Add users easily
Add multiple users with their own extensions and quick set up guide.
Send business texts
Provide updates and quick replies via text messaging through your business number.
Desktop and mobile apps
Stay connected with Grasshopper on your desktop, iPhone, or Android device.
24/7 support
Access live support agents at any time to help answer any of your business questions.
Grasshopper gives you the features you need to stay connected on the go.
Call forwarding
Send business calls to your personal phone or to another team member.
Call recording
Set up automatic recording for all inbound and outbound calls - on every extension.
Custom greetings
Record personalized messages to welcome your customers.
Accept simultaneous calls
Take multiple calls at once so customers are never left waiting.
VolP/Wi-Fi calling
Use your internet connection to make and receive calls when cell reception is unreliable.
Customized extensions
Give employees or departments extensions with their own call forwarding options.
Grasshopper gives you the features you need to stay connected on the go.
Instant text response
Automatically send a text to new callers whenever you can't pick up.
Easy access voicemail
Receive voicemail as digital audio recordings sent to your email.
Voicemail transcription
Receive read-outs of voicemail over email for quick scannability.
Conversation filters
Customize your view-filter by calls, texts, voicemails, or see everything in one place.
Receive virtual faxes
Connect your email to your phone number to receive incoming faxes as PDF files.
Grasshopper gives you the features you need to stay connected on the go.
Setup assistant
Customize your extensions, greetings, call flow, permissions, and more in a simple guided set up.
Business hours
Automatically direct your callers based on a pre-set schedule for open and closed hours.
Incoming call control
Screen callers, block calls, and set up custom schedules for your business operations.
Contacts management
Clearly identify personal from business contacts with dedicated lists.
Reporting
Receive easy-to-read success reports that dive into every aspect of your calls.
Exclusive discounts
Save on essential small business services like LegalZoom, WordPress, and Ruby.
Grasshopper gives you the features you need to stay connected on the go.
Additional extensions
Position yourself with a larger footprint by adding department and/or employee extensions. ($3/month each)
Additional phone numbers
Add more Grasshopper numbers anytime, without having to change your plan. ($9/month each)
Call blasting
Ring each line simultaneously to reduce wait times and increase customer satisfaction. ($9/month)
Professional voice actors
Make the right first impression with polished greetings by professional voice actors in English, Spanish, or French. ($75/order)
International calling
Select an international calling plan that works best for your business.
Virtual receptionist
Never miss a call by adding live, US - based receptionists. (30% off your first month)
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional, simple, and ready when you are.
Get the best Aircall alternative so you can focus on running your business.