What Is a Virtual Receptionist and How Much Does It Cost?
A virtual receptionist answers your business phone without sitting in your building. They greet callers in your business name, answer routine questions, take messages, qualify enquiries and book appointments — the front-desk job, delivered remotely or, increasingly, by AI.
Answer routine questions: hours, location, services, price ranges, service area.
Capture caller details and qualify the enquiry against your criteria.
Book appointments into your calendar.
Route or escalate urgent calls to you by your rules.
Send you a message or summary after each call.
The Three Pricing Models You'll Be Quoted
Per minute: you buy a block of talk minutes; overages billed after the fact.
Per call: a flat rate for each answered call regardless of length.
Flat monthly: one price for the month with usage included — the AI model.
What It Typically Costs
Human virtual receptionist services: commonly $200–$600 a month for small business volumes, more once after-hours coverage is added.
In-house receptionist: $4,000–$5,500 a month all-in, business hours only.
AI receptionist: $99–$299 a month flat, 24/7, minutes included.
Human Or AI?
Human services still handle emotionally complex and highly consultative calls better. AI answers instantly, never queues, covers every hour of the year, and costs a fraction. For the enquiry-and-booking calls that make up most small business phone traffic, AI is now the default sensible choice.
What To Check Before You Sign
Is pricing flat or usage-based, and what triggers an overage?
Is after-hours coverage included or an add-on?
Can it book directly into your calendar?
Do you get transcripts and summaries of every call?
Is there a contract, and is there a money-back guarantee?
Simple pricing, no contracts
Every plan includes Nicole answering 24/7 and no contracts — cancel anytime. Starter comes with a 7-day free trial. Pick the call volume that fits your business.
How much does a virtual receptionist cost per month?
Human services typically run $200–$600 a month for small businesses; an AI receptionist is $99–$299 a month flat with call minutes included and 24/7 coverage.
Is a virtual receptionist the same as an answering service?
They overlap heavily. Answering services traditionally focus on messages, while virtual receptionists take on more of the front-desk role including booking and qualification.
Do callers know it's not someone in my office?
They know they are speaking to your business, which is what matters. Nicole answers in your name with your information — most callers simply get their question answered and book.