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Grasshopper is often the go-to VoIP solution for smaller businesses looking for call center software to streamline their operations all around the world. But is their business model really as SMB-friendly? Let’s see.

What is Grasshopper missing?

There is a downside to Grasshopper’s simplicity, however, and it’s this: The solution lacks several core VoIP features users may expect, including:

• call recording
• power dialers
• and even click–to–call.

Furthermore, a fair few users complain that the app could benefit from some deeper reporting features.

How is Grasshopper priced?

Grasshopper offers users 3 pricing options for monthly and annual payments, respectively.

1. The Solo plan starts at $29, paid monthly or $26 annually.
2. The Partner plan starts at $49 monthly and $43 annually.
3. Finally, the Small Business option will cost you $89 per month or $80 per year.

Grasshopper Conclusion

Grasshopper is a perfectly viable VoIP call center solution for smaller businesses, with most of its utility coming from its easy-to-navigate interface and a fair selection of key features. However, the trade-off is that you miss out on many more advanced VoIP features, and at a potentially higher price too.

Google Voice has been on the market since 2009. It offers both free and paid versions. The provider is mostly suited for small companies, but all sizes will find something to benefit from. 

How is Google Voice priced?

A Starter pack will only cost you $10 users/month – up to 10 users, up to 10 domestic locations, and unfortunately, no international locations. 

Business-worthy features are included in higher packs – Standard ($20 users/month) and Premier ($30 users/month). 

Although both plans offer unlimited number of users and domestic locations, Standard plan also doesn’t include international locations.

Google Voice Conclusion

Google Voice is a well-known calling platform, although the features it offers are ideal mainly for small startups and individual entrepreneurs.

You’ll get unlimited calling within the US and Canada, call recording, and 24/7 customer support services. 

On the other hand, you need a US phone number in order to use Google Voice and you won’t get several popular integrations/tools.

3CX is a PBX phone system for office-based teams. It runs exclusively with Microsoft Windows or Linux, so MacBook users are out of luck. 

It’s a relatively basic phone system, with simple features such as Live Chat and Call Recording. It does not however feature smart capabilities such as AI or real-time transcriptions.

What makes 3CX unique?

3CX’s biggest strength is its affordability.

It’s a bare-bones system, but one that can get the job done for small teams who aren’t interested in the bells and whistles that come with most smart calling software.

What is 3CX missing?

3CX lacks some of the features and integrations most businesses have come to expect when hunting for virtual phone software. For example, users cannot integrate 3CX with Pipedrive or Zapier, two of the most popular business software on the market.

3CX also doesn’t have any direct sales. It is only sold through distributors which can make the sales process, as well as the support process lengthy and costly.

How is 3CX priced?

3CX’s most basic plan is free.

Their first paid plan comes in at 175 euros per user per month, and their more advanced plans cost 296 euros and 330 euros per user per month, respectively.

3CX Conclusion

As we’ve mentioned, 3CX is a virtual phone software for businesses who are only interested in the basics. It leaves a lot to be desired in a lot of areas, so we recommend thinking about whether or not you might need something it lacks — like integrations with Pipedrive and Zapier — at a later date. 

If you’re not new to the VoIP telephony market, you surely heard of Dialpad. It’s a reliable, unified telephony solution with simple built-in AI, and advanced analytics. A live chat, phone hotline, and knowledge base makes it a great deal for customer support teams. 

Dialpad’s scalability fits both small and large businesses.

What is Dialpad missing?

While offering a Power dialer, it lacks a Smart dialer and a Predictive dialer. The power dialer just works in Salesforce. Unlike the CloudTalk app, the Dialpad app only allows users to only dial manually. 

The Preferred agent feature only works through API. 

Dialpad also lacks a visual flow editor for Call flow designer. Sending SMS outside of the US and Canada isn’t possible, although this feature is soon coming to the UK.

The provider offers a limited integration stack, and Voicemail drop just comes with Dialpad Sell.

How is Dialpad priced?

Paid plans start at just $15 per user per month for the Standard Plan, and you can mix and match different packages. 

The Pro plan is $35 per user per month. 

Pricing for the Enterprise plan is determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Dialpad Conclusion

While having some great calling, performance tracking, and productivity tools, Dialpad only offers one auto dialer. It also has its gaps in sending SMS, which you can only do in the US and Canada. The integration portfolio is not too rich.

Dialpad even offers a free unlimited video calling pack for personal use.

8×8 is an evergreen telephony solution with a strong focus on integrations and analytics. The provider is well-suited for enterprises, but lower-tier subscriptions also work for smaller organizations.

What is 8×8 missing?

Office is required: You need an office in the location where you want to call in order to get a number from there. 

Geographical restrictions for SMS: You can only use an SMS feature within the US and 8×8 does not cover costs for mobile numbers in Brazil.  

Integrations: 8×8 doesn’t partner with telco companies, which means that users can’t get native integration with certain solutions. For example, Whatsapp. Non-native integrations must be set up by the tech team.

Features: 8×8 is missing some features like call tagging for more efficient calling processes, call masking for protecting your personal information or API for connecting CloudTalk with any tool you love. Automation tools like IVR, skill-based routing or automated callback come only with high-tier plans. You have to pay extra in order to get call recording.

A crucial restriction, mainly for big international companies, is that there are regional constraints on unlimited calling. Users with the basic Express plan can only use unlimited calling in the US and Canada.  

How is 8×8 priced?

The cheapest, Express 8×8 plan starts at $15 for both monthly and annual subscription. Though, it only comes with basic features.

Higher tier plans will cost you from $24 to $44 per month, billed annually, and $28 to $57 billed monthly. These include more advanced features, such as multi-level auto attendant, and data history.

8×8 Conclusion

8×8 shines in analytics and integrations but stays behind in the amount of productivity features. There’s also a lack of flexibility to consider, and a few feature accessibility restrictions that may be dealbreakers for international companies. 

Price is affordable when you only need a basic Express pack, but for more advanced tools, you’ll have to reach deeper into your wallet.