What Grasshopper does well
- Very easy setup for non-technical owners
- Numbers and apps bundled in one bill
- Simple mobile and desktop apps
- Good fit for solo founders who just want a line
Grasshopper Alternative: Open-Source Virtual Phone
Grasshopper bills per user and per number. Our hosted PBX is open-source and flat-priced, so you can add extensions, ring groups, and an auto-attendant without watching the bill.
Free migration · No contract · 30-day refund
Side by side
Our Virtual Phone vs Grasshopper
Both give a small business a professional phone presence. The differences are pricing model, flexibility, and who runs the system.
| Virtual Phone on Last Hour | Grasshopper | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat monthly, no per-extension fees | Per user / per number, tiered |
| Software license | Open source PBX | Proprietary |
| Bring your own number | ✓ Port via SignalWire, Twilio, SIP | ✓ Included numbers |
| Auto-attendant & menus | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Ring groups & forwarding | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Included |
| Call recording & voicemail | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Data ownership | Your server, your call logs | Their cloud |
| Free migration | ✓ Done for you | Number porting only |
Straight talk
Where each one wins
Where Grasshopper may still be the better fit
- You want zero configuration and one bundled provider
- You don't want to manage a SIP provider separately
- You only need one number for one person
- You prefer a polished consumer app over a PBX
Our honest take: for a one-person shop that wants the simplest possible setup, Grasshopper is a fine choice. If you have a team, want unlimited extensions, and want to own the call logs, our hosted PBX is the honest choice.
Making the move
How to switch from Grasshopper
Moving from Grasshopper to open-source virtual phone system on Last Hour Hosting is a guided process. Here is what it looks like, step by step.
Step 1
List your Grasshopper numbers, extensions, and call flows before you cancel anything.
Step 2
We port your existing numbers to the open-source PBX on your server.
Step 3
Rebuild your menu, extensions, voicemail, and forwarding rules in the new system.
Step 4
Test inbound and outbound calls, then cancel Grasshopper once porting is confirmed.
The upside
Why open-source virtual phone system is a strong Grasshopper alternative
- The PBX is open source and self-hosted, so you avoid per-number and per-user fees that grow with your team.
- You get a full phone system with IVR menus, extensions, and voicemail for one flat $29/mo.
- Because you control the server, you can add SIP providers and features Grasshopper's plans do not expose.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my existing business number?
Yes. You can port your existing number to a SIP provider we support, such as SignalWire or Twilio, and keep it while running our PBX behind it.
Does the virtual phone system charge per extension like Grasshopper?
No. Our PBX hosting is a flat monthly price, and you can add extensions, ring groups, and an auto-attendant without per-user fees.
Do I need special hardware?
No. You can use desktop and mobile SIP apps, or standard VoIP desk phones, all connecting to the hosted PBX.
Can I keep my existing business phone number when I leave Grasshopper?
Yes, in most cases numbers can be ported to your new PBX provider. We help you start the port, and we keep Grasshopper running until the transfer completes so you do not miss calls.
Does the open-source PBX work with softphones and desk phones?
Yes. It uses standard SIP, so it works with softphone apps on computers and phones as well as hardware desk phones. We help you configure the devices your team already uses.