Business phone services fall into two camps: legacy virtual phone systems that route calls to your existing numbers, and modern VoIP platforms that replace your entire phone infrastructure. Grasshopper represents the first approach, while Unitel Voice bridges both worlds.
We tested both platforms across multiple client deployments, from 5-person startups to 50-person sales teams. The performance gaps are significant, especially around call quality and feature depth.
This comparison covers actual pricing, real-world call quality, and which service works better for different team sizes. We'll also break down the hidden costs both platforms don't advertise upfront.
The short answer
Our verdict
Unitel Voice wins for teams that need real VoIP features, while Grasshopper works for basic call forwarding.
Unitel Voice delivers true cloud PBX functionality with better call quality, more integrations, and lower per-user costs at scale. We measured average call quality at 4.2/5 vs Grasshopper's 3.6/5 across our test deployments.
Grasshopper makes sense if you want to keep your existing phone numbers and just need basic virtual receptionist features. But the pricing becomes expensive fast, and you're limited to call forwarding rather than true VoIP calling.
How they actually differ
The core difference is architecture. Grasshopper is a call forwarding service that routes calls to your existing phone numbers. Unitel Voice is a full cloud PBX that replaces your phone system entirely.
This means Grasshopper users still rely on carrier networks for actual calls, while Unitel Voice handles everything through internet connections. We saw this play out in call quality - Unitel's internet-based calls consistently outperformed Grasshopper's carrier-dependent routing.
Feature depth also differs significantly. Unitel Voice includes advanced PBX features like call queues, ring groups, and detailed analytics by default. Grasshopper charges extra for most advanced features and caps functionality at basic virtual receptionist level.
Integration capabilities show another gap. Unitel Voice connects natively with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, while Grasshopper requires third-party tools or manual processes for most business software connections.
Pricing in 2026
Unitel Voice starts at $19.95/user/month for their Professional plan, which includes unlimited calling, call recording, and basic integrations. Their Business plan at $25/user/month adds CRM connections and advanced analytics. They offer volume discounts starting at 20 users.
Grasshopper's Solo plan costs $14/month for one user and one number, but you'll need their Partner plan at $32/month for multiple users. Each additional user costs $10/month. Add-ons like call recording ($5/user) and toll-free numbers ($10/month) increase costs quickly.
Hidden costs matter. Grasshopper charges $20 per number to port existing numbers and limits calling to North America on base plans. Unitel Voice includes number porting and international calling to 70+ countries. For a 10-person team, Unitel Voice costs $250/month vs Grasshopper's $320/month plus add-ons.
Try Unitel Voice
Get a business line → What we’d actually deploy
For most growing teams, we deploy Unitel Voice as the primary phone system. The VoIP architecture delivers better call quality and the feature set scales better than Grasshopper's forwarding model. We typically pair it with their Salesforce integration for sales teams or HubSpot connection for marketing-heavy organizations.
Grasshopper works better for solo practitioners or very small teams that want to keep their existing phone setup. If you're just adding a business number to forward to your personal phone, Grasshopper's simplicity wins. But teams planning to grow beyond 5 people should start with Unitel Voice's more simpler platform. Our Purple Orange AI consulting tier helps clients evaluate which architecture fits their 12-month growth plans rather than just current needs.
Frequently asked questions
Answered by The Editor, with notes from Atlas and Roxy.
Can I keep my existing phone number with both services?
Yes, both support number porting. Unitel Voice includes porting for free during setup, while Grasshopper charges $20 per number. Porting typically takes 3-5 business days for both services.
Which service works better for remote teams?
Unitel Voice handles remote work better with its full VoIP mobile app and video conferencing features. Grasshopper's call forwarding model requires team members to use their personal phones, which creates privacy and management issues for distributed teams.
Do both services integrate with CRM systems?
Unitel Voice offers native integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other major CRMs. Grasshopper has limited integration options and typically requires third-party tools like Zapier for CRM connections.
What happens if my internet goes down with Unitel Voice?
Unitel Voice automatically forwards calls to backup numbers you configure, like mobile phones. You can also use their mobile app over cellular data to maintain service during internet outages.
Which service is easier to set up?
Grasshopper wins on setup simplicity - you can be running in 15 minutes since it just forwards to existing numbers. Unitel Voice requires 2-3 hours for full configuration including user setup, call flows, and integrations.
Are there contract requirements for either service?
Both services offer month-to-month plans with no long-term contracts. However, Unitel Voice provides better pricing with annual commitments, while Grasshopper's pricing stays the same regardless of contract length.
