- Most AI receptionist services cost between $25 and $300 per month, making them far more affordable than hiring full-time staff.
- An AI receptionist can answer calls, book appointments, take messages, and handle after-hours calls.
- For most small businesses, just a few saved calls each week can cover the cost of an AI receptionist plan.
If you’ve ever missed an important call, you know how quickly those lost opportunities can add up. But for many small businesses, hiring a full-time receptionist or paying for a round-the-clock answering service just doesn’t fit the budget.
That’s where AI receptionist services can really shine. They’re fast, friendly, and cost a lot less than traditional options. But how much do they actually cost, and are they a smart investment for your business?
Let’s take a closer look.
What an AI receptionist can do for your business
An AI receptionist is much more than just a basic chatbot or an automated menu. It’s a smart, voice-powered AI phone assistant that answers your calls, greets your clients, handles messages, books appointments, and connects people to the right place, all automatically and at any time of day.
Think of it as a virtual front desk that never takes a break.
For most small businesses, an AI receptionist can help with tasks like:
- Answering common questions (like your hours, location, or services)
- Scheduling and rescheduling appointments
- Transferring calls to the right team member
- Taking messages and forwarding them instantly
- Handling after-hours or overflow calls
Platforms like Upfirst go even further with features like multilingual support, spam blocking, and Zapier integrations. Best of all, you don’t need to be a tech expert to get started.
The average cost of an AI receptionist
What does pricing look like?
How much you’ll pay depends on how many calls you get and whether you need a real person to step in sometimes. Here’s what most small businesses can expect:
- AI-only: $25 to $300 per month (depending on call volume)
- Hybrid (AI with human handoff): $300 to $2,000+ per month
- Live-only answering services: $500 to $4,000 per month
The bottom line: With AI virtual receptionist services starting as low as $25 per month, you can get reliable coverage at a price that fits most small business budgets.
How pricing works
Most AI receptionist services are straightforward when it comes to pricing:
- Per-call or per-minute: You pay based on the number of calls your AI handles.
- Monthly plans: Choose a bundle, like 30, 90, or 300 calls a month.
- Extra calls: If you go over your plan, you’ll usually pay a small fee (about $0.70 to $1.50 per extra call).
- Setup: Many services, including Upfirst, don’t charge any setup fees and can have you up and running in less than a day.
What the pricing looks like side-by-side
Comparing costs: AI receptionist vs. live receptionist
Salary breakdown
Hiring a full-time receptionist typically costs between $36,000 and $41,000 per year. That’s about $3,000 to $3,500 per month once you factor in salary, benefits, and taxes.
With an AI receptionist, you can get started for as little as $25 per month. Plus, your coverage is 24/7, including weekends and holidays. That’s a huge savings, and you never have to worry about missed calls.
Coverage at a glance
With AI, there are no sick days, no scheduling hassles, and no calls going unanswered after hours.
Is an AI receptionist service worth it for your small business?
How to decide if it’s a good fit
The right solution depends on your business needs. If you need deep integrations with custom tools or handle highly complex conversations, you might still need some human help. But for most small businesses, especially if your calls are about bookings, messages, FAQs, or simple transfers, an AI receptionist can save you both time and money.
For many small businesses, just a few saved calls each week can easily cover the cost of an AI receptionist plan.
The real cost of missed calls
Did you know small businesses lose an average of $120,000 per year from missed calls? And with 85% of callers not calling back if they don’t get an answer, those missed calls can mean lost revenue, not just missed conversations.
Even capturing a handful of those calls each month can make an AI receptionist service well worth it.
Give your business the coverage it deserves
Hiring extra staff isn’t always possible, but you shouldn’t have to miss out on new business because of it. An AI receptionist gives you professional, reliable phone coverage, no matter your size or budget. That peace of mind is priceless for busy small business owners.
Consistent service, less stress
AI receptionists don’t get sick, don’t forget to pass along messages, and never leave callers hanging. Your customers will always get a friendly, clear greeting every single time. That consistency helps you and your team focus on what matters most: growing your business.
A better experience for your customers
Nobody likes being sent to voicemail or waiting on hold. With an AI receptionist, your callers get an immediate response, in their preferred language, and are quickly connected to the information or help they need. This kind of service makes your business look polished and professional, no matter your size.
What does it take to get set up?
Quick and easy setup with no surprise fees
Most AI receptionist services can have you up and running in less than a day. All you need to do is forward your calls, add a few FAQs, and connect your calendar or CRM if you want. Upfirst is designed to be especially simple. No setup fees, no technical headaches, and no long-term contracts.
Tips for choosing the right AI receptionist service
What to look for
When comparing your options, keep these features in mind:
- 24/7 availability
- Natural-sounding, friendly AI voices
- Support for multiple languages
- Easy integration with your calendar or CRM
- Transparent pricing and no hidden fees
- AI receptionist customization
Why Upfirst is a great fit for small businesses
Upfirst was built with small businesses in mind, like those who can’t afford to miss calls, but don’t have the budget for full-time staff. Plans start at just $24.95 per month (and you don't pay for spam calls). Our AI handles scheduling, messages, FAQs, and transfers automatically, always sounding friendly and professional. If your needs grow, you can scale up or add human backup any time.
Hear from real small business owners using Upfirst
Small business owners like you are already seeing the benefits. See what one of our customers says about Upfirst:
The bottom line
For most small businesses, the average cost of implementing an AI receptionist service is between $25 and $300 per month, which is a fraction of the price of hiring live help.
It’s a smart investment if you:
- Get more than a few calls each week
- Find it hard to answer every call during or after hours
- Need reliable, professional coverage on a tight budget
With Upfirst, you get 24/7 coverage, clear communication, and dependable call handling—all for just a few dollars a day.
👉 Try Upfirst today and see how affordable it is to never miss a call again!
Nick Lau is a copywriter and content lead for Upfirst.ai. A self-starter at heart, he dove into marketing in 2015 by launching an e-commerce company, selling private-labeled products on Amazon and Shopify. When he’s not crafting copy, you might spot him on a winding road trip to the coasts or through forests, in search of unexplored places.
