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Head-to-head · Virtual Phone Number Services

Sonetel vs Grasshopper

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Sonetel #5 in Virtual Phone Number Services 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Sonetel
Grasshopper #8 in Virtual Phone Number Services 8.2/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Grasshopper

Sonetel leads on 2 checks, Grasshopper on 0, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSonetel · 8.6/10
  • Lowest starting priceSonetel · $9.95/user/mo
  • Free planonly Sonetel
  • Free trialonly Grasshopper

Sonetel scores higher on our rubric for virtual phone number services: 8.6 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Sonetel offers free plan; Grasshopper doesn't. Sonetel is cheaper to start at $9.95/user/mo against $14/user/mo.

Sonetel is the better fit for small teams seeking numbers and calling apps. Grasshopper is the better fit for solo operators and small businesses wanting a simple phone.

  • Sonetel fits best

    Small teams seeking numbers and calling apps

  • Grasshopper fits best

    Solo operators and small businesses wanting a simple phone

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Sonetel 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Grasshopper 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.2
Ranking #5 in Virtual Phone Number Services #8 in Virtual Phone Number Services
Best for Small teams seeking numbers and calling apps Solo operators and small businesses wanting a simple phone
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $9.95/user/mo (best) $14/mo
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 Phone, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Sonetel 0/3 · Grasshopper 0/3
SMS support Not checked yet Not checked yet
International numbers Not checked yet Not checked yet
Number porting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Number types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included numbers Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free Basic plan includes app calls, SMS-to-email and user voicemail
  • Paid plans add number bundles, international calls, transcription and recording
  • Web, desktop, mobile and API options support varied calling workflows
  • Local, toll-free, vanity and ported business number options
  • Call forwarding, extensions, routing and voicemail transcription
  • Desktop and mobile apps with a shared inbox and business texting
Cons
  • Basic does not include the free number allowance offered by paid plans
  • Phone numbers and calls can incur separate charges on Basic
  • Premium and Business differ in number allowance, but share listed call features
  • True Solo is limited to 1 user, 1 phone number and 1 extension
  • The $25 Solo Plus plan includes only 1 phone number
  • Small Business costs $55 per month for 4 phone numbers
Our verdict

Sonetel provides virtual local, mobile and toll-free business numbers with cloud calling for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Calls can ring in web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android apps, or be forwarded to users, phone numbers,…

Read the review →

Grasshopper gives entrepreneurs and small businesses a dedicated business phone number and tools for handling calls and messages separately from personal communications. It supports local, toll-free, vanity and ported numbers, with…

Read the review →
  1. SonetelVirtual Phone Number Services 8.6Free plan
  2. GrasshopperVirtual Phone Number Services 8.27-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Sonetel — where it wins

    • Free Basic plan includes app calls, SMS-to-email and user voicemail
    • Paid plans add number bundles, international calls, transcription and recording
    • Web, desktop, mobile and API options support varied calling workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic does not include the free number allowance offered by paid plans
    • Phone numbers and calls can incur separate charges on Basic
    • Premium and Business differ in number allowance, but share listed call features

  • Grasshopper — where it wins

    • Local, toll-free, vanity and ported business number options
    • Call forwarding, extensions, routing and voicemail transcription
    • Desktop and mobile apps with a shared inbox and business texting

    Where it doesn't

    • True Solo is limited to 1 user, 1 phone number and 1 extension
    • The $25 Solo Plus plan includes only 1 phone number
    • Small Business costs $55 per month for 4 phone numbers

More comparisons

All virtual phone number services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update