What Is a Virtual Receptionist and How Much Does It Cost?

What They Actually Do

• Answer in your business name with your greeting.
• 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

7-day free trial on every plan · Cancel anytime · No contracts. Start on Starter — $99/month. Growth and Extreme Pro are direct upgrades. Pick the call volume that fits your business.

Frequently asked questions

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