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AI receptionist: what it is, what it costs, who to pick
An AI receptionist is a voice agent that answers your business line 24/7: it answers FAQs, takes messages, books appointments and transfers calls. As of 2026-10-17, entry plans from the 9 vendors we track run from $24.95 to $99 a month (median $49). Some charge per call or per caller instead of per minute.
What an AI receptionist does
- Answers every call, including after hours and when lines are busy
- Answers questions from your website, FAQs and policies
- Books, reschedules or cancels appointments in your calendar
- Takes messages and sends summaries by text or email
- Transfers urgent or complex calls to a person
- Filters spam calls
AI phone answering service vs human virtual receptionist
A traditional virtual receptionist (an answering service) uses remote human staff, usually billed per minute or per call. Goodcall's pricing page puts a live answering service at about $1.50–$1.90 a minute. An AI receptionist costs far less per minute and never puts callers on hold, but it can struggle with unusual requests. Hybrid services such as Smith.ai combine AI with human backup.
AI receptionist cost, by vendor
| Vendor | Entry price | Included | Free tier / trial | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith.ai (AI Receptionist) | $0 to start | 25 calls/mo | Free plan: 25 calls/month | |
| Goodcall | $79/mo | 100 unique customers | Free demo agent; pay when you connect a number | |
| My AI Front Desk (Frontdesk) | $99/mo | 200 voice minutes | 7-day free trial | |
| Rosie | $49/mo | 250 minutes | 7-day free trial | |
| Dialzara | $29/mo | 60 minutes | 7-day free trial | |
| Upfirst | $24.95/mo | 30 calls | Free trial | |
| Newo.ai | $0 to start | 50 free units (once) | 50 free units, no payment method needed | |
| Trillet | $49/mo | 150 minutes | 7-day free trial (card required) | |
| Phonely | $0 to start | — | Free plan |
See the full analysis: AI receptionist cost. For a shortlist, see best AI receptionist for small business.
How to choose
Read the AI receptionist buying checklist, or answer six questions in the matchmaker.
FAQ
How much does an AI receptionist cost?
Across the 9 AI receptionist vendors we track, the lowest paid plans range from $24.95 to $99 a month (median $49), as of 2026-10-17. Some have free plans, and some charge per call instead of per minute.
What's the difference between an AI receptionist and a virtual receptionist?
A virtual receptionist service traditionally uses human agents who answer remotely. An AI receptionist uses a voice AI agent. Some services, such as Smith.ai, offer AI with optional human backup.
Can an AI receptionist book appointments?
Many can. Rosie, Trillet and others list appointment booking on their pricing pages. Check that your calendar or scheduling tool is supported.