AI Receptionist Pricing: Complete Cost Guide (2025)

How much does an AI receptionist cost? It’s the first question every business owner asks—and the answer might surprise you.

Quick answer: AI receptionists typically cost $49-$499 per month, compared to $2,500-$4,000+ monthly for a human receptionist. Most small businesses pay $99-$249/month for full 24/7 coverage with appointment booking.

But pricing varies significantly between providers, and the cheapest option isn’t always the best value. This guide breaks down AI receptionist pricing models, what affects cost, hidden fees to watch for, and how to calculate your true ROI.

New to AI receptionists? Start with our Complete Guide to AI Receptionists.

AI Receptionist Pricing Overview

Here’s what you can expect to pay for AI receptionist services in 2025:

AI Receptionist Pricing Models Explained

AI receptionist providers use different pricing structures. Understanding these helps you predict actual costs:

1. Per-Minute Pricing

How it works: You pay for actual call time used.

Typical rates: $0.05-$0.15 per minute

Example: 500 minutes of calls = $25-$75/month

Pros:

• Pay only for what you use
• Good for low call volume
• Easy to understand

Cons:

• Unpredictable monthly costs
• Can get expensive with high volume
• May discourage longer, quality conversations

Best for: Businesses with under 200 calls/month or highly variable call volume.

2. Tiered Minutes Pricing

How it works: Monthly plans include set minutes; overages charged per-minute.

Example structure:

• Starter: $99/month for 500 minutes
• Professional: $199/month for 1,500 minutes
• Business: $399/month for 5,000 minutes

Overage rates: $0.10-$0.20 per minute beyond included amount

Pros:

• Predictable base cost
• Scales with business growth
• Lower per-minute rate than pure usage pricing

Cons:

• May pay for unused minutes
• Overages can surprise you
• Need to monitor usage

Best for: Most small-to-medium businesses with consistent call volume.

3. Flat-Rate/Unlimited Pricing

How it works: Fixed monthly fee regardless of usage.

Typical rates: $299-$599/month for unlimited

Pros:

• Completely predictable costs
• No usage anxiety
• Best value for high volume

Cons:

• Higher base cost
• May overpay if volume is low
• Some providers have “fair use” limits

Best for: Businesses with 300+ calls/month or unpredictable spikes.

4. Per-Call Pricing

How it works: Charged per call handled, regardless of duration.

Typical rates: $0.50-$2.00 per call

Pros:

• Simple to calculate
• No penalty for longer conversations

Cons:

• Short calls cost the same as long ones
• Can be expensive for high volume

Best for: Businesses with typically longer calls (consultations, complex bookings).

What Affects AI Receptionist Pricing

Call Volume

The biggest factor. More calls = higher cost (or need for higher-tier plan).

Features Needed

Basic answering costs less than full-featured solutions:

Industry-Specific Requirements

Some industries require specialized features:

• Healthcare: HIPAA compliance may add $50-$150/month
• Legal: Conflict checking integration may require custom pricing
• Home Services: Dispatch/routing features may be extra

Number of Locations

Multi-location businesses typically pay:

• Per-location fees ($50-$150/location/month)
• Or discounted enterprise pricing

AI Receptionist Pricing by Provider

Here’s how major providers price their services (as of 2025):

For detailed feature comparisons, see our Best AI Receptionist Software 2025 guide.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

The advertised price isn’t always the full cost. Watch for these hidden fees:

Setup/Onboarding Fees

• What: One-time fee to configure your account
• Typical: $0-$500
• Tip: Many providers waive this—ask for it

Overage Charges

• What: Per-minute fees when you exceed plan limits
• Typical: $0.10-$0.25/minute
• Tip: Choose a plan with 20% buffer above expected usage

Integration Fees

• What: Additional cost for CRM, calendar, or software connections
• Typical: $25-$100/month per integration
• Tip: Check if needed integrations are included in your tier

Phone Number Fees

• What: Cost for dedicated phone numbers
• Typical: $5-$25/month per number
• Tip: First number usually included; additional numbers extra

Cancellation Fees

• What: Penalty for early contract termination
• Typical: $0-$500 or remaining contract value
• Tip: Look for month-to-month options

Annual vs Monthly Pricing

• What: Discount for annual commitment
• Typical: 15-25% savings for annual
• Tip: Start monthly, switch to annual once satisfied

AI Receptionist vs Human Receptionist: Cost Comparison

How does AI pricing compare to hiring a human?

Annual savings with AI: $35,300-$63,900

For detailed analysis, see AI Receptionist vs Human Receptionist: Cost Analysis.

AI Receptionist vs Virtual Receptionist: Cost Comparison

How does AI compare to human virtual receptionist services?

For full comparison, see AI Receptionist vs Virtual Receptionist.

ROI Calculator: Is AI Receptionist Worth It?

Calculate your return on investment:

Step 1: Calculate Current Costs

Step 2: Calculate AI Receptionist Cost

Step 3: Calculate Revenue Impact

Step 4: Calculate ROI

Monthly ROI = (Cost Savings + Revenue Captured – AI Cost) ÷ AI Cost × 100

Example Calculation

Scenario: Dental practice with 1 receptionist + missed after-hours calls

If replacing receptionist:

• Savings: $3,800 – $249 = $3,551/month
• + Revenue captured: $6,000/month
• Total monthly value: $9,551
• ROI: 3,737%

If supplementing receptionist (after-hours only):

• AI cost: $249/month
• Revenue captured: $6,000/month
• Net monthly value: $5,751
• ROI: 2,209%

How to Choose the Right Pricing Plan

Step 1: Estimate Your Call Volume

Check your phone records for the last 3 months:

• Total incoming calls per month
• Average call duration
• Peak call times
• After-hours call volume

Step 2: Identify Must-Have Features

Prioritize what you actually need:

• 24/7 answering (most businesses)
• Appointment booking (service businesses)
• Calendar integration (essential for booking)
• SMS reminders (reduces no-shows)
• CRM integration (if you use a CRM)

Step 3: Calculate Your Budget

What can you afford vs. what’s the ROI?

• If replacing staff: Budget can be higher
• If supplementing: Calculate revenue from captured calls
• Start smaller, upgrade as value is proven

Step 4: Start with Buffer Room

Choose a plan with 20-30% more minutes than you expect to use. It’s cheaper than overages.

Money-Saving Tips

1. Ask for Discounts

• Annual prepay: 15-25% off
• Nonprofit discount: 10-20% off
• Startup discount: Often available
• Competitor switch: Some offer credits

2. Start Small, Scale Up

• Begin with basic plan
• Track actual usage for 2-3 months
• Upgrade only when you hit limits

3. Avoid Overbuying Features

• Don’t pay for integrations you won’t use
• Skip enterprise features if you’re small
• Basic plans often include what you need

4. Negotiate Enterprise Deals

• Multi-location? Ask for volume discount
• Multi-year commitment? Get better rates
• Custom needs? Pricing is often flexible

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the cheapest AI receptionist?

Budget options start around $29-$65/month (Synthflow, My AI Front Desk). However, cheapest isn’t always best—voice quality and features matter. Most businesses find $99-$199/month plans offer the best value.

Are there free AI receptionist options?

Some providers offer limited free trials (7-14 days). True free tiers are rare and usually very limited. Budget $100+/month for a usable solution.

What’s included in the base price?

Typically: Call answering, basic scheduling, confirmations, and limited minutes. Appointment booking, reminders, and integrations may require higher tiers.

How do I avoid overage charges?

Monitor usage weekly, choose plans with 20% buffer, set up usage alerts if available, or opt for unlimited plans if volume is unpredictable.

Can I change plans easily?

Most providers allow mid-cycle upgrades (prorated). Downgrades typically happen at renewal. Check cancellation terms before signing.

Is annual billing worth it?

If you’re confident in the solution, yes—15-25% savings is significant. Start monthly to test, switch to annual after 2-3 months of satisfaction.

The Bottom Line on AI Receptionist Pricing

AI receptionists cost $99-$499/month for most businesses—a fraction of human receptionist costs ($3,000-$5,000/month). The ROI typically exceeds 500% when you factor in:

• Cost savings vs. human staff
• Revenue from captured after-hours calls
• Reduced no-shows from automated reminders
• 24/7 availability without overtime

For most small businesses, a $99-$249/month plan delivers everything needed.

See AgentZap Pricing →

Or get a free demo to see which plan fits your needs.

Related: AI vs Human Receptionist Cost Analysis | Best AI Receptionist Software 2025 | AI vs Virtual Receptionist Comparison