Phone2 vs Grasshopper
Grasshopper began as a call forwarding service in 2003 and now offers app calling and shared numbers, but it still forwards to your existing phone and caps numbers per plan. Phone2 is a modern VoIP platform with shared numbers, a team inbox, and AI transcription at a lower per-user price.
30-day money-back guarantee. Plans start at $7/month on annual billing.
Compare features side by side
See how Phone2 stacks up against Grasshopper
Why teams move from Grasshopper to Phone2
Real reasons businesses are making the switch
Finally, a real team phone
Grasshopper forces each person to have their own extension. Phone2 lets your whole team share one number - see the same conversations, collaborate in real-time.
Actual VoIP, not forwarding
Grasshopper just forwards calls to your cell, eating your minutes. Phone2 is true VoIP - calls go through the app, unlimited and crystal clear.
AI summaries, not just transcripts
Grasshopper added call transcription in Fall 2025, but only on higher plans. Phone2 Pro goes further with AI call summaries, insights, and smart automation.
Lower cost, more features
Phone2 starts at $7/month on annual billing with team features. Grasshopper's Solo Plus at $25/month just added transcription - but still no shared numbers or team inbox.
Grasshopper: The Good and The Bad
An honest look at what Grasshopper does well and where it falls short
What Grasshopper does well
Very simple to set up
Basic forwarding works in minutes, no technical knowledge needed
Affordable entry price
True Solo at $14/month (annual) is cheap for a single user
Established brand
Been around since 2003, trusted by many small businesses
Toll-free numbers
Offers 800 numbers on all plans
AI transcription (new in 2026)
Spring 2026: added AI call summaries and transcripts, newer and less proven than established platforms
Where Grasshopper falls short
Numbers capped per plan
True Solo includes just 1 number; you need the $80/mo Small Business plan for 4 numbers
Forwarding roots
Built on call forwarding to your existing phone rather than full cloud VoIP with a deskphone-grade PBX
Pricey for a team
The multi-number Small Business plan is $80/mo, well above Phone2 Basic and Pro for the same lines
Call recording on higher plans only
Need Solo Plus ($25/mo) or Small Business ($80/mo) for call recording
No integrations
Only Google Voice integration - no Slack, CRMs, Zapier, or any modern tools
AI features are brand new
AI call summaries and transcripts only arrived in spring 2026, so they are less proven than Phone2's
The Verdict
Which one is right for your team?
Choose Phone2 if...
- You have a team that needs to share a phone number
- You want real VoIP, not call forwarding
- You need AI call summaries (not just transcripts)
- You want to integrate with Slack, CRMs, or Zapier
- You prefer a modern, intuitive interface
Choose Grasshopper if...
- You're a solo user who just needs call forwarding
- Call transcription without summaries is enough for you
- You're already familiar with Grasshopper's system
Our Take
Grasshopper added shared numbers and AI transcription in 2026, which narrows the gap, but it is still a forwarding-based service that caps numbers per plan and jumps to $80/mo for a small team. Phone2 delivers shared numbers, a team inbox, AI summaries, and integrations as core VoIP features at a lower per-user price.
Audrey Xi
Product Analyst
Audrey researches business communication tools and helps teams find the right phone system for their needs. She has reviewed over 50 VoIP and business phone solutions.
Last reviewed: January 8, 2026
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Phone2 vs Grasshopper: Common Questions
Phone2 is a full VoIP phone system with shared numbers and team collaboration. Grasshopper is call forwarding that routes calls to your personal cell phone.
Phone2 does not charge an additional port-in fee on current plans. Landline ports typically take 1-2 weeks.
Yes, as of Fall 2025 Grasshopper added AI transcription for recorded calls. However, you need the Solo Plus ($25/mo) or Small Business ($55/mo) plan, and it only transcribes - no AI summaries like Phone2 offers.
No. Phone2 starts at $7/month on annual billing. Grasshopper's Small Business plan is $55/month flat. For teams of 4+, Phone2 is significantly cheaper.
Grasshopper was built as call forwarding and added shared numbers only recently. Phone2 was designed around shared numbers and a team inbox as core VoIP features, with numbers not capped per plan.
Sources & References
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Port your existing number to Phone2. Keep your number, lose the limitations.