Compare grasshopper and Freepbx on pricing, features, platforms, and ratings — both Communication tools, Tiered monthly subscription starting at $14/month…
At a Glance
grasshopper
Freepbx
Primary category
Communication
Communication
Rating
Not documented
Not documented
Pricing model
Tiered monthly subscription starting at $14/month with a free trial; USA and Canada only
Open Source / Free
Starting price
Not documented
Free (core software); commercial modules and Sangoma appliances priced separately
Free plan
Not documented
Yes
Free trial
Yes
Not documented
Platforms
iOS, Android, Desktop App, Mobile App
Web
Team collaboration
Not documented
Not documented
AI features
Not documented
Not documented
Public API
Not documented
Yes
Pricing Compared
Starting price reflects the lowest paid tier, not the full cost for every team size or usage level.
grasshopper
No individual plan breakdown documented yet.
Freepbx
FreePBX Core (Open Source) — Free N/A
Commercial Modules — Varies by module One-time or subscription, per module
PBXact (Sangoma commercial) — Contact for pricing Custom
Pros & Cons
grasshopper
Pros
No hardware required — works as an app layer over an existing mobile phone or landline
Choice of local, toll-free, or vanity business numbers with unlimited extensions on higher plans
Voicemail transcription and instant automated text replies help solo operators stay responsive
Backed by GoTo, an established communications company, for platform stability and support
Free trial available to test the service before committing to a paid plan
Cons
Service is only available in the USA and Canada, limiting use for international businesses
Focused on number/call/text management rather than a full VoIP PBX, so it lacks the deeper call-center and analytics depth of platforms built for larger support teams
Advanced features like the virtual receptionist and extra phone numbers are positioned as paid add-ons rather than included in base pricing
Requires a stable Wi-Fi or data connection since calls route over VoIP rather than a traditional carrier line
Freepbx
Pros
Core software is completely free and open source with no license fees
Backed by Sangoma, a publicly traded company, giving it long-term development stability rare among open-source projects
Powers over a million installations, meaning extensive community documentation, forums, and third-party expertise are available
Can run on modest, inexpensive hardware for small deployments
Optional commercial modules and PBXact give a clear upgrade path to professional support without forcing it on free users
Cons
Requires Linux system administration knowledge to install, secure, and maintain
Officially supported only on Debian Linux, limiting deployment flexibility for other distributions
Some genuinely useful features, like advanced endpoint management, are gated behind paid commercial modules
Telephony and VoIP configuration (SIP trunks, NAT traversal, codecs) has a steep learning curve for non-specialists
No official cloud-hosted SaaS version directly from the FreePBX project itself, requiring self-hosting or a third-party host
Use Cases
grasshopper
Freepbx
Small business phone systems — IT administrators deploy self-hosted FreePBX servers to run a full-featured business phone system without per-user SaaS licensing fees.
Managed service provider deployments — MSPs and telecom integrators deploy and support FreePBX or PBXact systems for multiple client businesses using Sangoma hardware and commercial modules.
Home-lab and hobbyist telephony — Telecom hobbyists run FreePBX on inexpensive hardware to learn VoIP administration or manage a personal or small-office phone system.