CallHippo vs Grasshopper: Virtual Phone for Small Teams

CallHippo and Grasshopper are two of the most popular virtual phone systems for small businesses. Both target the SMB segment, both offer phone numbers in the US and internationally (with different coverage depth), and both deliver the core small-business calling features. The decision comes down to whether you want a sales-team-focused phone system with power dialer (CallHippo) or a simpler business phone with virtual extensions and routing (Grasshopper).

CallHippo Overview

CallHippo is a virtual phone system built for sales and support teams. Power dialer, local presence dialing, call queues, multi-level IVR, call recording, voicemail transcription, and analytics make it a real sales-team tool rather than a basic business phone. Phone numbers available in 50+ countries. Pricing starts at $18/user/month. For broader context, see our roundup of best business phone automation software for small business.

Grasshopper Overview

Grasshopper is the long-running virtual phone system aimed at solo entrepreneurs and small teams who want a separate business number with extensions and forwarding. The product is intentionally simple: get a US or Canada number, set up extensions, forward to your existing phones, done. No power dialer, no IVR depth, no sales-team analytics, just clean business calling.

Pricing Compared

CallHippo: Starter $18/user/month, Silver $30/user/month, Platinum $42/user/month. Grasshopper: Solo $29/month (1 number, 3 extensions), Partner $49/month (3 numbers, 6 extensions), Small Business $89/month (unlimited extensions). Grasshopper’s pricing is per-account (not per-user), which favours larger teams. CallHippo’s per-user model favours smaller teams.

Features Compared

CallHippo includes power dialer (sales-team productivity), local presence dialing, multi-level IVR, call queues, real-time analytics, and 50+ country numbers. Grasshopper covers basics: virtual numbers, extensions, call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, business texting, simple auto-attendant. For sales operations, CallHippo’s depth wins. For “just give me a business number with extensions”, Grasshopper’s simplicity wins.

Which Should You Choose?

Pick CallHippo if you run sales or support operations needing power dialer, IVR, analytics, and CRM integration at SMB pricing. Pick Grasshopper if you’re a solo entrepreneur or tiny team that just needs a US/Canada business number with extensions and forwarding. For most real sales motions, CallHippo’s depth justifies the per-user pricing. For “I need a business number”, Grasshopper is simpler.

FAQs

Which is better for sales teams?

CallHippo. Its power dialer, local presence, IVR, and CRM integrations are purpose-built for sales operations. Grasshopper lacks these sales-team features.

Which is cheaper?

Depends on team size. CallHippo’s $18/user/month is cheaper for solo users. Grasshopper’s account-based pricing wins for teams sharing one phone number.

Does Grasshopper work internationally?

Limited, Grasshopper focuses on US and Canada. CallHippo offers numbers in 50+ countries.

Which has CRM integrations?

CallHippo, decisively. Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho integrations are core. Grasshopper has limited CRM integration.

Can both record calls?

CallHippo includes call recording. Grasshopper does not offer call recording in standard plans.

Which has better mobile apps?

Both have iOS and Android apps. CallHippo’s app includes sales-team features; Grasshopper’s app focuses on basic calling.

Do both offer free trials?

Yes, both offer free trials. CallHippo provides 10 days; Grasshopper offers 7 days.

Which is better for solo founders?

Grasshopper, for pure simplicity. CallHippo if you’ll do real sales calls and want sales features.

Final Word

CallHippo is the right pick for sales teams. Grasshopper is the right pick for solo entrepreneurs who want simplest possible business calling. For sales-team context, see best sales call automation platforms for remote teams.