RingBase vs Grasshopper: Why Small Businesses Are Switching in 2026
Grasshopper has been around since 2003 and was one of the first virtual phone systems for small businesses. But in 2026, the product feels stuck in time — and businesses are noticing.
What Happened to Grasshopper?
Grasshopper was acquired by LogMeIn (now GoTo) in 2018, and development has effectively stalled. Users report:
- No CRM integrations of any kind
- No Zapier or automation support
- Call analytics limited to 90 days with no export
- Customer service described as "almost non-existent"
- Prices that have increased while features haven't
If you've been on Grasshopper and it still works for you, that's great. But if you're feeling limited, here's what else is out there.
Pricing Comparison
| RingBase | Grasshopper | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $14.99/mo (USD) | $14/mo (True Solo) |
| Canadian pricing | CA$17.99/mo | USD only |
| Phone numbers included | 1+ | 1 (True Solo) |
| Extensions | Yes, with IVR routing | Limited |
| Desk phone support | Yes (Grandstream, Yealink, Fanvil) | No |
| Call recording | Included | Not available |
| Browser phone | Yes | No — mobile/desktop app only |
Key Differences
Desk Phones
Grasshopper is mobile-app only — there's no desk phone support at all. If you work from an office and want a physical phone on your desk, Grasshopper can't help. RingBase supports popular SIP desk phones from Grandstream, Yealink, and Fanvil with simple provisioning.
Auto-Attendant with Extensions
Grasshopper offers a basic greeting but nothing close to a real IVR system. RingBase lets you build a proper auto-attendant with menu options, extension routing, and time-based rules.
Call Recording
Grasshopper doesn't offer call recording at any price. For businesses that need recordings for compliance, training, or dispute resolution, this is a dealbreaker. RingBase includes it.
Analytics
Grasshopper retains call data for only 90 days and doesn't let you export it. RingBase provides full call history with filtering by direction, date, and phone number.
Bilingual (EN/FR)
If you serve Canadian customers, RingBase's built-in bilingual auto-attendant is a feature Grasshopper simply doesn't have.
Who Should Stay on Grasshopper?
Grasshopper might still work if you:
- Only need call forwarding to your cell phone
- Don't need any integrations or automations
- Don't need call recording
- Are happy with the current feature set
Who Should Switch to RingBase?
RingBase is the better choice if you:
- Want a real phone system, not just call forwarding
- Need desk phone support for an office
- Want call recording and proper auto-attendant
- Serve Canadian or bilingual customers
- Want active development and responsive support
Making the Switch
Switching from Grasshopper to RingBase takes minutes. Sign up, pick a number (or port your existing one), and configure your auto-attendant. No contracts, no setup fees, and you can run both systems in parallel during the transition.