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Grasshopper and Phone.com have features you’d expect in a standard VoIP system.
However, there’s a third option. It’s called iPlum, an affordable business phone system with better technology.
But did you know Grasshopper is not HIPAA compliant? And that to get unlimited extensions, you must be on the Small Business plan, the platform’s highest tier, which costs $55 per user per month?
Did you also know that Phone.com does not offer outbound texting in its base plan? To use outbound messaging with Phone.com, you must be on the Plus plan, which is priced at $22.50 per user per month.
Luckily, you don’t have to compromise essential features such as HIPAA compliance. You don’t even have to pay hefty fees for outbound texting, while you can get similar features for less with a Grasshopper or Phone.com alternative like iPlum.
Table of Contents
1.Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—A side-by-side comparison
2. Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—User Reviews
3. Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—Pricing
4. How to Port Your Number to iPlum
5. Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
6. Why Choose iPlum Over Grasshopper and Phone.com
Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—A side-by-side comparison
With that in mind, let’s go over how the three platforms compare on the fundamental business communication features.
Here’s a comparison table for a quick overview.
1. Calling Capabilities
A good phone system should offer reliable calling and other critical features such as call forwarding, extensions, and voicemail.
Here’s what you get with Grasshopper, Phone.com, and iPlum.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper runs on VoIP and is available on desktop and mobile apps.
The platform allows you to forward calls to personal numbers, set up voicemail, and manage extensions. Grasshopper also offers international calling, although it bills this feature separately.
That said, Grasshopper reviews mention occasional missed rings and call instability when the internet connection weakens.
Furthermore, unlimited extensions require the highest-tier Small Business plan, which adds to the overall cost.
Phone.com
Phone.com also operates primarily through VoIP.
It offers features like call forwarding, conference calling, voicemail, and HD voice. And, while outbound international calling is available, rates vary depending on location.
But, like Grasshopper, audio quality may decline in areas with poor internet connectivity since there is no carrier fallback option.
iPlum
iPlum provides dual-mode calling that works over VoIP or the carrier network.
The functionality ensures stable conversations even when internet coverage is weak, a feature you don’t get with Grasshopper or Phone.com.
You also get call forwarding and voicemail transcription, among other calling features, in lower-tier plans.
And because iPlum is available in over 200 countries, you can count on the service for reliable global communication. To top it all off, iPlum provides compliance-grade security features that protect conversations.
2. Texting Features
A good business phone system should provide safe, inbound, and outbound messaging options. Here’s what you get with the three platforms.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper offers business texting through its mobile and desktop apps.
You can send and receive SMS from customers in the U.S. and Canada. However, reviewers report occasional delays in message delivery, especially during peak hours.
Grasshopper also lacks compliance-grade secure texting, which limits its use in industries that exchange sensitive information.
Phone.com
Phone.com comes with inbound texting on its base plan.
However, outbound texting requires upgrading to the Plus plan. In addition, outbound messages also carry a monthly limit unless businesses purchase additional credits.
Although the platform supports MMS, the feature comes with usage restrictions depending on the plan.
These limitations create barriers for businesses that rely heavily on customer texting.
And, since outbound communication requires upgrades, Phone.com is, by extension, expensive compared to competitors like iPlum for a basic feature as important as outbound messaging.
iPlum
iPlum offers SMS and MMS messaging in all plans
You can also set up group messaging, broadcast messages, and voicemail-to-text features. Other iPlum texting features include the ability to pin conversations, text scheduling, text signature, and message templates.
And, unlike Grasshopper and Phone.com, iPlum does not restrict outbound messages to higher tiers, so even small businesses can access advanced texting capabilities at lower costs.
3. HIPAA and Regulatory Compliance
Businesses in regulated industries must consider compliance before choosing a phone system.
Otherwise, failure to meet standards can result in penalties, data breaches, and loss of customer confidence.
Here’s how the three phone systems compare in this area.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper does not meet HIPAA requirements. It does not come with signed Business Associate Agreements (BAA) either.
Therefore, organizations in healthcare, finance, or other regulated industries cannot use Grasshopper for regulated communication.
Phone.com
Phone.com offers HIPAA compliance for voice and video.
However, it is important to mention that the platform doesn’t have a separate, secure channel that allows the exchange of compliant messages between parties, unlike a competitor like iPlum.
iPlum
iPlum offers true HIPAA compliance, a significant difference compared to Phone.com. It also provides a Business Associate Agreement in the Professional and Premium plans.
A notable difference is that iPlum gives you a free client account for secure texting. The account allows a bi-directional private message exchange, different from the standard SMS and MMS, at no cost.
In addition, iPlum offers text and call recording archiving, making it easy for users to comply with recordkeeping and audit requirements.
Apart from being HIPAA compliant, the platform also aligns with regulations such as Dodd-Frank and CMS to ensure communication records meet industry standards.
4. Phone Tree with Auto-Attendant and Extensions
Your business needs a professional way to greet callers and route them efficiently. You’ll therefore want to check if your phone system has an auto-attendant and extensions for this purpose.
Let’s look at how the three platforms compare on this one.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper offers extensions that allow you to forward incoming calls to individuals or departments.
However, this feature is basic compared to advanced options like iPlum’s phone tree. Besides, you’ll need to sign up for the Small Business plan at $55 per user per month to get unlimited extensions.
So, while Grasshopper extensions work for simple call flows, reviewers note the system can be tricky to configure for larger setups.
Phone.com
Phone.com has automated menus that route callers to departments, extensions, or voicemail. In addition, you can create custom greetings and dial-by-name directories.
That said, Phone.com’s call recording is only available on the Pro plan and as an add-on at an extra $7.99 for other tiers.
iPlum
iPlum comes with a phone tree and an auto-attendant with extensions with every local or toll-free number.
With iPlum’s phone tree, you can set a professional greeting for incoming calls and automatically transfer to the right person or department.
In addition, the system supports multiple extensions, voicemail, and call forwarding globally, even on bring-your-own devices.
Moreover, users set up special announcements, business hours, and automatic text responses for missed calls or after-hours inquiries.
And, unlike Grasshopper and Phone.com, these features are standard in iPlum’s subscription, making it cost-effective for small businesses that want a polished and efficient phone presence.
5. Number Sharing
Number sharing is important for businesses where multiple staff need to answer or make calls from the same business line.
It ensures continuity so customers always reach someone when they call. Let’s see how Grasshopper, Phone.com, and iPlum compare here.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper offers number sharing through account-based plans.
On one hand, Solo Plus and Small Business enable multiple employees to call and text from one business number.
On the other hand, Solo limits usage to one user and extension. So while Grasshopper allows number sharing, you may need to pay as much as $55 per month for this feature, which is expensive compared to alternatives like iPlum.
Phone.com
Phone.com allows number sharing through its extension system. It allows administrators to add virtual or IP phone extensions and assign direct numbers to users.
It is important to note that, like Grasshopper, the number still depends on plan limits. In essence, this translates to extra costs if you have a large team.
iPlum
iPlum number sharing is straightforward.
First, you can share your number across multiple devices. The platform also allows you to set up a central line and assign it to staff through extensions, call forwarding, or the secure iPlum app.
That way, users can make or receive calls and texts from the same number. Compared to Grasshopper and Phone.com, iPlum provides this shared access as part of its standard subscription.
6. Team Management
A good phone system should make assigning numbers, monitoring usage, and centralizing billing easy, so you can oversee everything from one account.
Here’s how the three platforms compare.
Grasshopper
Grasshopper allows you to manage users from an admin portal. Here, you can add users, assign roles, and extensions.
Again, your plan model determines how much you can do.
If you’re on the True Solo plan, Grasshopper allows you to manage only one user with one extension, which rules out any real team setup.
Meanwhile, the Solo Plus and Small Business plans let you add unlimited users, making shared access possible, though extension limits still affect how teams operate.
Phone.com
Phone.com allows administrators to handle user setup and permissions from their online control panel.
You can assign each team member an extension connected to a direct number.
However, the Base plan requires an extra monthly charge for every additional number. While the Plus and Pro don’t have this limitation, the system remains tied to per-user pricing, which can become expensive as a business grows and adds more staff.
iPlum
iPlum simplifies multi-user oversight with its Team Master Account.
With iPlum, you can manage multiple numbers, users, and billing under one login. Administrators can also control settings for each line, assign or revoke access, and configure extensions in one place.
You can also centrally manage secure texting, call recording, and voicemail transcription, making compliance easier.
Meanwhile, iPlum consolidates billing into one account instead of spreading it across separate licenses.
This structure efficiently scales communication, streamlines oversight, and avoids unnecessary administrative overhead as the team expands.
Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—User Reviews
Let’s now see what users have to say about the three platforms in the section below.
Grasshopper reviews
Grasshopper users often point to reliability, billing, and support issues, although some still value its ease of use and basic functionality.
❌ Poor customer service
“Support takes days to respond, and when they do, the answers are vague.” — John M., TrustPilot
❌ Dropped calls and missed rings
“I constantly miss calls because the app doesn’t ring.” — Sarah K., G2
❌ App freezing
“It freezes a lot… Sometimes calls drop without notice, … we have to restart the app.” — Samuel M., G2
✔ Intuitive interface
“It is user-friendly and can be accessed from around the world.” — Mary A., G2
Phone.com reviews
Some users praise Phone.com’s routing while others express frustration with billing, Android app issues, and feature limitations.
❌ Pricing too high
“Pricing is a bit too high for a VoIP service that could potentially be replaced by a very cheap local service for a small company.” — Augusto, G2
❌ Android incompatibility
“It seems to be incompatible with an Android cell phone. I have spent many hours and days with tech support and still no solution.” — VR, Capterra
❌ Difficult setup and feature limits
“It was difficult to get going and to set up, and we were still finding ways to get it fully integrated into our systems from Phone.com to Kintone.” — Anthony V., G2
✔ Wide call routing options
“I like that there was a wide range of call routing options.” — Verified reviewer, Capterra
iPlum reviews
iPlum reviews point to a platform loved for HIPAA-compliance, reliable calling, and helpful support. That said, iPlum doesn’t support video conferencing yet.
✔ HIPAA-compliant voicemail
“I needed a HIPAA-compliant voicemail. Iplum works so well for clients to leave messages securely… affordable, and I plan to be a long-time customer.” — E W., TrustPilot
✔ Responsive support
“I sent a support ticket and was responded to within the hour. The situation was fixed… no disruption to my service. I am so grateful.” — Lindsey Baker, TrustPilot
✔ Easy to use
“The interface is easy to use and I haven’t had any problems with phone calls or texts.” — Linden Alexander, TrustPilot
⚠️While iPlum doesn’t offer video conferencing, the feature’s development is underway and scheduled for release soon.
Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—Pricing
As you’d expect, Grasshopper, Phone.com, and iPlum are priced differently.
Below is a breakdown of how much you should expect to pay for each platform and the features you get.
How much does Grasshopper cost?
Grasshopper costs $14 to $55 per month based on your plan, as follows:
True Solo – $14 per month
The plan allows a single user, one phone number, and a single extension.
Solo Plus – $25 per month
The plan allows unlimited users, a phone number, and up to three extensions in addition to the True Solo offering.
Small business – $55 per month
The plan allows unlimited users, four phone numbers, unlimited extensions, and the Solo Plus features.
How much does Phone.com cost?
Phone.com costs $15 to $33.33 per month, depending on your plans, as follows:
Basic – $15 per user per month
The plan offers calling minutes, one phone number per account, mobile and web apps, as well as voice features including business hours.. However, there’s no outbound texting.
Plus – $22.50 per user per month
The plan includes outbound texting, voicemail transcription, and enterprise business texting. Call recording is available for an additional $8 per month.
Pro – $33.33 per user per month
The plan includes all Plus features, as well as call recording, call analytics, and data retention.
How much does iPlum cost?
iPlum costs $8.99 to $19.99 per user per month, depending on your plan, as follows:
Standard Plan – $8.99 per user per month
The plan comes with mobile app calling and texting in the U.S. and Canada, voicemail, auto-replies, business hours, and a phone tree.
Professional – $14.99 per user per month
This plan builds upon the Standard plan, offering features such as web-based calling and texting, secure and encrypted texting, and voicemail transcription.
You also get group and broadcast messaging, text archiving, and HIPAA compliance with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for healthcare.
Premium – $19.99 per user per month
The plan includes everything in the Professional plan, in addition to call recording and compliance features for finance, insurance, legal, sales, and support sectors.
Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum Pricing—Which offers more value
Grasshopper pricing starts at $30 and climbs to $55 monthly, making it expensive for small businesses.
Phone.com charges $15 to $33.33 per user each month, which looks cheaper than Grasshopper, but grows quickly as headcount increases.
iPlum, by comparison, is cheaper across all tiers—Standard at $8.99, Professional at $14.99, and Premium at $19.99.
Compared to Grasshopper, iPlum Premium is 78% cheaper, and even against Phone.com’s Pro, it is 40% cheaper.
With more features included at lower tiers, iPlum delivers better value for less, making it the cost-effective choice for secure business communication.
How to Port Your Number to iPlum
You can port your existing Grasshopper and Phone.com by following the steps outlined in the video below.
Grasshopper vs Phone.com vs iPlum—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s better than Grasshopper?
iPlum is better than Grasshopper.
It offers HIPAA-compliance, dual-mode calling, encrypted texting, call recording and archiving, and a phone tree with extensions.
Moreover, its pricing starts at $8.99 per user—cheaper and more capable than Grasshopper.
What is the best VoIP for small business?
There are many VoIP services. However, iPlum ranks among the best VoIP providers for small business because it bundles features such as texting, call routing, compliance, and extensions at a lower cost than most options.
Is iPlum texting HIPAA-compliant?
Yes. iPlum offers secure, encrypted texting in its Professional and Premium plans. The platform comes with a free client account, which adds a secure messaging channel at no cost, further protecting sensitive communication.
Why Choose iPlum Over Grasshopper and Phone.com
Grasshopper and Phone.com are solid VoIP services.
However, both drop the ball in some key business communication areas, whether that’s a lack of HIPAA compliance or charging premium rates for features such as outbound texting.
iPlum, on the other hand, is an affordable alternative that delivers more for less.
From dual-mode calling to secure HIPAA-compliant texting, phone trees with extensions, and call recording, iPlum makes advanced features accessible at lower tiers.
With pricing that is up to 78% cheaper than Grasshopper and 40% cheaper than Phone.com, you can save money without sacrificing quality.
Click the link below to get started with iPlum.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and may not reflect the most current features or capabilities of the products or companies mentioned. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official sources of each company.
