Nextiva vs Grasshopper: Top Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

Our Verdict: Given their affordable pricing, overall ease of use, and high-quality live customer support, Nextiva and Grasshopper are both ideal small business phone systems. Nextiva offers security and reliability alongside collaboration tools like video conferencing and instant messaging, while Grasshopper provides better prices for solopreneurs and startups that only need a few phone lines and prefer a minimalist platform.

Grasshopper focuses on voice communication with basic UCaaS tools such as call forwarding, voicemail transcription, online faxing, and caller ID, while Nextiva combines voice tools with team collaboration, social media coordination, and reputation management in one desktop and mobile platform. Top Nextiva features include call recording, video conferencing, team chat, and CTI screen pops (call pops) with CRM system integration.

Nextiva is more expensive than Grasshopper but it's worth it if you need a higher level of security or video conferencing capabilities. Grasshopper is best for startups and entrepreneurs on a shoestring budget or small business owners switching to VoIP from a landline for the first time

• Verdict
• Summary
• What is Grasshopper?
• What is Nextiva?
• Feature Comparison
• Pricing Comparison
• Pros and Cons
• Alternatives

How We Compared Nextiva and Grasshopper

We tested Nextiva and Grasshopper in a number of different categories such as user experience, customer support, integrations and more. Here's a look at how we evaluated the two platforms:

• Price and Value: We looked at the pricing structure as well as what features and tools were offered in each plan, whether there were installation or porting costs, etc.
• Calling Features: We compared calling features of the two platforms such as forwarding, recording, voicemail, etc.
• Auto Attendant: We tested each provider's auto attendant and looked for advanced features and customization options
• Integrations: We looked at the ouit-of-the box integrations offered by each provider as well as the ability to create custom integrations using APIs, SDKs, etc.
• Customer Support: We tested the responsiveness and effectiveness of the customer support teams of each provider
• Ease of Use: We evaluated each platform's user experience particularly the mobile apps and the use of advanced features and customizations
• Communication Channels: We looked at what communication channels were offered by each provider such as voice, email, video, SMS/MMS, etc.
• Scalability: We evaluated how easy it would be to scale each platform by adding users, admins, or features
• Reliability and Security: We tested call quality and looked for security features such as HIPAA compliance, data encryption, SSO, etc.

Nextiva vs. Grasshopper: At A Glance

Nextiva vs. Grasshopper: Feature Comparison

While Nextiva and Grasshopper both cater to small businesses, there are some key differences in their pricing structure, features, and analytics capabilities. In the following sections, we will take a closer look at how the two platforms compare in several areas, but here is a quick synopsis of what we found:

• Phone system features: While both platforms offer toll free numbers, Nextiva also includes toll free minutes with most plans. Nextiva also offers more advanced phone features such as a workflow builder and web call back
• Messaging: Grasshopper offers a solid SMS/MMS texting platform with automation capabilities and instant responses, but does not offer team chat messaging while Nextiva, has a robust team collaboration platform with shared contacts, threaded conversations, and more
• Analytics: Grasshopper includes only historical call logs and reporting, while Nextiva offers real time analytics, AI-powered transcription and summarization, and voice analytics
• Auto attendant: Grasshopper and Nextiva both offer auto attendants, but only Nextiva has a multi-level auto attendant with advanced features, more customizations, and smart routing
• Integrations: Grasshopper has a more limited integration stack than Nextiva but it does offer a few integrations such as Google Voice, Zapier, etc.

Phone System Features

Both Nextiva and Grasshopper offer unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada, unlimited virtual faxing, voicemail transcription and caller ID, but Nextiva includes its own high quality carrier service, while Grasshopper's default is to use the internet service provided by the customer. This means that Grasshopper can provide its VoIP features at a lower cost, but the quality will depend on the quality of the service the business is using.

Both providers have both mobile and desktop applications. Users can access the Nextiva  or Grasshopper app on a softphone, desktop, or iOS iPhone and Android mobile device, but the Nextiva mobile app includes a few more features such as video meetings and note taking.

Both providers offer toll free number, but Grasshopper includes a toll free number option for all users, while Nextiva only includes toll free numbers with the Engage plan and up. Nextiva includes 2,000 toll free minutes while Grasshopper does not have per minute charges when calls are made in the U.S. and Canada.

Both providers offer international calling at per minute rates, but Nextiva has a wider selection of countries than Grasshopper. Nextiva also offers on-demand and automatic call recording with, 6-month recording retention and the ability to share and take notes on call recordings while Grasshopper only offers on demand call recording.

Messaging

Both Grasshopper and Nextiva offer unlimited text messaging, automatic messaging capabilities, and both group and 1:1 texting. Nextiva also offers team collaboration tools such as video conferencing, team presence and status, up to 500 shared contacts, contact and call notes, team chat with up to 3 team collaboration rooms, and threaded conversations, while Grasshopper does not offer team collaboration.

Nextiva includes all fees included into bundled pricing plans, but limits SMS messages to 100-500 per user, per month depending on he plan. Grasshopper charges a one time setup ($19) and monthly fee ($1.50-$2) for business texting services but has no limits. Only Nextiva provides end-to-end encryption on text messages.

Nextiva offers live chat and chatbots as add-on options for the Core plan and includes them with upper tier plans, while Grasshopper does not offer these features.

Analytics and Reporting

Grasshopper includes historical reporting and allows users to run reports on demand. Grasshopper users can choose from one of three calling reports (usage, details, or activity). Nextiva offers more broad reporting options as well as an add-on voice analytics package that includes real-time analytics and gamification tools.

Both Nextiva and Grasshopper offer call history and logs with the ability to drill down into caller ID details, add filters, and set custom date ranges. Both providers also include activity reports giving admins a birds-eye-view of call activity organized by call type, etc.

Nextiva uniquely lets users choose specific KPIs to track and uses automation to send out custom reports according to a pre-set schedule and includes advanced features like customized wallboards that broadcast real-time call data like total talk time.

Nextiva offers a gamification tool with customizable leaderboards, scorecards, filters, and themes as well as AI-driven call summarization, and omnichannel conversation history while Grasshopper does not.

Auto Attendant

Both Nextiva and Grasshopper include an auto attendant feature that allows users to transfer incoming calls automatically to the extension the caller chooses without the need for a physical receptionist. Nextiva includes a few more options for users to customize call flows. Specifically, both providers include custom greetings, call forwarding, custom hold/transfer music, and business hours features.

Nextiva affords users more options on its auto attendant than Grasshopper, such as the ability to change the time before a call is transferred to the operator due to inactivity. Nextiva also allows users to set up a dial-by-name, or department directory for callers, while Grasshopper does not.

Nextiva includes a multi-level auto attendant for Engage and Power Suite plan users, while Grasshopper's auto attendant is only one level. Nextiva Power Suite users also have the ability to build skills-based routing workflows

Integrations

Both providers allow users to create custom integrations with APIs, but Nextiva offers several out-of-the-box integrations with platforms like Zendesk, Salesforce, and HubSpot. Grasshopper users can forward their Grasshopper number to Google Voice or the Skype app.

Businesses can build custom integrations with APIs and SDKs on both platforms but Nextiva includes 19 out of the box integrations with apps such as Outlook, ServiceNow, Zoho, and CRM integrations like Salesforce and Oracle.

Grasshopper includes all integrations in all pricing plans while the availability of a Nextiva integration depends on the pricing plan. For example, the Microsoft Teams integration is only available to users with the Engage plan and up, and Salesforce is a paid add-on.

Nextiva uniquely includes integrations with social media and review platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google Store, Amazon, Yelp, etc. The Core plan includes 12 total accounts and the Engage plan includes up to 60 accounts.

Nextiva vs. Grasshopper Pricing and Plans

Nextiva and Grasshopper have different pricing structures. Nextiva offers three feature-bundled pricing plans with monthly and per user fees. Grasshopper also offers three pricing plans but they have flat monthly rates, limit the number of phone lines and extensions in each plan, and include all features in every plan. Grasshopper is more affordable than Nextiva, but does not have as many advanced features and does not offer the quality and security that Nextiva does.

Here is a breakdown of the pricing and plans for each provider.

Nextiva Pricing

• Core Plan ($15 per user/month): Includes unlimited voice and video meetings with screen sharing
• Engage Plan ($25 per user/month): Includes a toll free number and 2,000 toll free minutes plus additional features such as voicemail to SMS
• Power Suite CX Plan ($75 per user/month): Includes additional security and AI-driven features such as SSO, automated summaries, and skills-based routing

Grasshopper Pricing

• True Solo Plan ($14 per month, 1 user, 1 phone number, 1 extension): Includes business texting, call forwarding, custom greetings, and basic reporting
• Solo Plus ($25 per month, unlimited users, 1 phone number, 3 extensions)
• Small Business ($55 per month, unlimited users, 4 phone numbers, unlimited extensions)

Nextiva vs. Grasshopper: Pros and Cons

Grasshopper is more affordable than Nextiva and has an easy to use platform that can be set up and mastered in minutes. On the other hand, Nextiva offers more advanced features with built-in redundancy and higher security. Here are some of the pros and cons of each provider.

Which Should You Choose: Grasshopper or Nextiva?

Grasshopper is best for startups, solopreneurs, and partnerships that don't a lot of bells and whistles in their communication system, or are on an extremely tight budget. Nextiva is best for SMBs that are looking to expand or have a need to combine voice service with video conferencing and social media marketing. Here are some other examples of companies that might benefit from either Nextiva or Grasshopper:

Nextiva is Best For:

• Growing SMBs: Nextiva can handle many more users than Grasshopper and offers more advanced contact center features for larger companies such as AI-powered agent assist and call monitoring
• B2C companies: Nextiva's reputation management and social media integrations are a great asset for B2C businesses looking to expand their customer base

Grasshopper is Best For:

• Entrepreneurs: Grasshopper is a simple and affordable bisiness phone system that helps single owner businesses project a professional image to potential customers
• Brick and mortar businesses: For in-person based businesses that only need a single phone line with voice and texting capabilities, Grasshopper delivers a reliable product

Is There A Clear Winner?

Nextiva is superior to Grasshopper by most measures, it offers more customizations, better analytics, better reliability and security, and many more features such as video conferencing, AI generated call summaries, and more, but Grasshopper has affordable flat monthly rates, which is a difficult thing to find in the UCaaS space. For companies that are looking to expand and need innovative features to keep operations running smoothly, Nextiva is a clear winner, however, there are plenty of small businesses and retail stores that don't need all that.

For companies and solopreneurs looking for a fast and affordable business phone system, Grasshopper is a solid choice offering all the essential VoIP features you will need such as voicemail, custom greetings, business hours, and auto attendant. As well as some extras like instant response.

Grasshopper and Nextiva Alternatives

The below business VoIP providers are the top Nextiva and Grasshopper competitors: